--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must have done something very wicked…" description: "\"We must have done something very wicked before we were born, or else we must be going to be very happy indeed when we are dead, for God to let this lif..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e91/alexandre-dumas-fils-20412_born_we-must-have-done-something-very-wicked_3013098.png" --- # We must have done something very wicked before we were… ![“We must have done something very wicked before we were born, or else we must be going to be very happy indeed when we are dead, for God to let this life have all the tortures of expiation and all the sorrows of an ordeal.” quote by Alexandre Dumas-fils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e91/alexandre-dumas-fils-20412_born_we-must-have-done-something-very-wicked_3013098.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e91/alexandre-dumas-fils-20412_born_we-must-have-done-something-very-wicked_3013098.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e91/alexandre-dumas-fils-20412_born_we-must-have-done-something-very-wicked_3013098.png) > “We must have done something very wicked before we were born, or else we must be going to be very happy indeed when we are dead, for God to let this life have all the tortures of expiation and all the sorrows of an ordeal.” [Alexandre Dumas-fils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-dumas-fils/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human suffering may be a pre‑life consequence, leading to eventual happiness after death. **In simple terms:** Suffering now may bring joy later. Key Takeaway Accept hardship as part of a larger plan. Themes theology existentialism afterlife Mood somber reflective Type philosophical existential When to use this quote - grief counseling - philosophical debate - personal loss Key Concepts karma redemption spiritual trial Questions to Reflect On - Do we need suffering for growth? - How does belief in afterlife affect present behavior? A Different Perspective Interpretations of suffering vary across cultures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow/) [This life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-life/) [Torture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torture/) ## Related quotes > [“Life nurtures. Life tortures. 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You just had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-westerfeld/high-school-wasn-t-a-trial-by-fire-or-some-ordeal-that-had-to-be/) [Scott Westerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-westerfeld/) ## More by Alexandre Dumas-fils > [“The difference between genius and stupidity is: genius has its limits.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-dumas-fils/the-difference-between-genius-and-stupidity-is-genius-has-its-limits/) [Alexandre Dumas-fils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-dumas-fils/) > [Her delight in the smallest things was like that of a child. There were days when she ran in the garden, like a child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-dumas-fils/her-delight-in-the-smallest-things-was-like-that-of-a-child-there/) [Alexandre Dumas-fils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-dumas-fils/) > [Be good, be young, be true! 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