--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes I think it's better to suffer…" description: "\"Sometimes I think it's better to suffer bitter unhappiness and to fight and to scream out, and even to suffer that terrible pain, than to just be... sa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/betty-smith-1012_bitter_sometimes-i-think-it-s-better-to-suffer_583617.png" --- # Sometimes I think it's better to suffer bitter unhappiness… ![“Sometimes I think it's better to suffer bitter unhappiness and to fight and to scream out, and even to suffer that terrible pain, than to just be... safe. At least she knows she's living.” quote by Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/betty-smith-1012_bitter_sometimes-i-think-it-s-better-to-suffer_583617.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/betty-smith-1012_bitter_sometimes-i-think-it-s-better-to-suffer_583617.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/335/betty-smith-1012_bitter_sometimes-i-think-it-s-better-to-suffer_583617.png) > “Sometimes I think it's better to suffer bitter unhappiness and to fight and to scream out, and even to suffer that terrible pain, than to just be... safe. At least she knows she's living.” [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing intense, painful experiences over complacent safety can make life feel truly lived. **In simple terms:** Painful living feels more alive than safe complacency. Key Takeaway Embrace risk to feel alive. Themes risk authenticity existence pain life meaning Mood intense reflective conflicted Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - artistic creation - personal crisis - relationship turmoil - health challenges - career decisions Key Concepts existentialism psychology hedonism Questions to Reflect On - What risks have you avoided for safety? - How does discomfort foster personal growth? A Different Perspective Safety can lead to stagnation and missed growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Unhappiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unhappiness/) ## Related quotes > [“I don't know. Sometimes I think it's better to suffer bitter unhappiness and to fight and to scream out, and even to suffer that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/i-don-t-know-sometimes-i-think-it-s-better-to-suffer-bitter/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“I don’t know,” Miss Lizzie said. “Sometimes I think it’s better to suffer bitter unhappiness and to fight and to scream out, and even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/i-don-t-know-miss-lizzie-said-sometimes-i-think-it-s-better-to-suffer/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“It is better to suffer for knowledge than to pleasure in ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/it-is-better-to-suffer-for-knowledge-than-to-pleasure-in-ignorance/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [Better one suffer than a nation grieve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/better-one-suffer-than-a-nation-grieve/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [It is better to suffer wrong than to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-better-to-suffer-wrong-than-to-do-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Better to suffer than to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/better-to-suffer-than-to-die/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [It is better to suffer an injustice than to commit one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/it-is-better-to-suffer-an-injustice-than-to-commit-one/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [It is better to suffer injustice than to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/it-is-better-to-suffer-injustice-than-to-do-it/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > ['Tis better to suffer wrong than do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/tis-better-to-suffer-wrong-than-do-it/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [ Better suffer ill, then doe ill. \[Better suffer ill, than do ill.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/better-suffer-ill-then-doe-ill-better-suffer-ill-than-do-ill/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [“It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/it-is-better-to-suffer-wrong-than-to-do-wrong/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [It is better to suffer once than to be in perpetual apprehension.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-caesar/it-is-better-to-suffer-once-than-to-be-in-perpetual-apprehension/) [Julius Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-caesar/) > [For it is better to suffer a little want than to have too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/for-it-is-better-to-suffer-a-little-want-than-to-have-too-much/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [“It is better to suffer evil than to do evil.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/it-is-better-to-suffer-evil-than-to-do-evil/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [It is better to suffer from the truth than to be rewarded from a lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain3031/it-is-better-to-suffer-from-the-truth-than-to-be-rewarded-from-a-lie/) Rain3031 ## More by Betty Smith > [“Yes, when I get big and have my own home, no plush chairs and lace curtains for me. And no rubber plants. I'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/yes-when-i-get-big-and-have-my-own-home-no-plush-chairs-and-lace/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“Several times that day, the name or thought of Papa had come up. And each time, Francie had felt a flash of tenderness instead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/several-times-that-day-the-name-or-thought-of-papa-had-come-up-and/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [As long as one can suffer, one is living…live and suffer until life is gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/as-long-as-one-can-suffer-one-is-living-live-and-suffer-until-life-is/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“Sissy told them they were way behind the times; that midwives were things of the past. Besides, she informed them proudly, she had no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/sissy-told-them-they-were-way-behind-the-times-that-midwives-were/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“Why, Mrs McGarrity's all right. Mr McGarrity's all right, too. Only I guess they aren't all right to each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/why-mrs-mcgarrity-s-all-right-mr-mcgarrity-s-all-right-too-only-i/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“I drink because I don't stand a chance and I know it. I couldn't drive a truck and I couldn't get on the cops…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/i-drink-because-i-don-t-stand-a-chance-and-i-know-it-i-couldn-t-drive/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“Pipe dreams, he thought to himself, even while he was telling her about his dream winnings. 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It gets no sun, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/who-wants-to-die-everything-struggles-to-live-look-at-that-tree/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [It takes a lot of doing to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/it-takes-a-lot-of-doing-to-die/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“She sat in the sunshine watching the life on the street and guarding within herself, her own mystery of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/she-sat-in-the-sunshine-watching-the-life-on-the-street-and-guarding/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [...the reading, the observing, the living from day to day. It was something that had been born into her and her only - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/the-reading-the-observing-the-living-from-day-to-day-it-was-something/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [People always think that happiness is a faraway thing … something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/people-always-think-that-happiness-is-a-faraway-thing-something/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“Hildy O’Dair is old for her age,” she thought. “It’s like powder was sprinkled on her yellow hair. But she’s not much older than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/hildy-o-dair-is-old-for-her-age-she-thought-it-s-like-powder-was/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“One day they’re babies in buggies and the next day they’re in here taking picks. Kids grow up quick in this neighborhood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/one-day-they-re-babies-in-buggies-and-the-next-day-they-re-in-here/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) > [“If she never had any lovers, she kicks herself around when the change comes, thinking of all the fun she could have had, didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-smith/if-she-never-had-any-lovers-she-kicks-herself-around-when-the-change/) [Betty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) [Explore all 306 Betty Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-smith/) ## More Bitter quotes > [The cooler days have brought a wistful mood upon him. The smell of coalsmoke in the air at night. Old times, dead years. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-cooler-days-have-brought-a-wistful-mood-upon-him-the-smell-of/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ortiz/from-the-bitter-cold-winter-at-valley-forge-to-the-mountains-of/) [Solomon Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ortiz/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [Troy was a sweet, good man. We just were never destined to be married. We just didn't have the same values. But I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-pleshette/troy-was-a-sweet-good-man-we-just-were-never-destined-to-be-married/) [Suzanne Pleshette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-pleshette/) > [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [One may have been a fool, but there's no foolishness like being bitter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-norris/one-may-have-been-a-fool-but-there-s-no-foolishness-like-being-bitter/) [Kathleen Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-norris/) > [“I doubt taking in a sullen, bitter, teenage girl with more issues than National Geographic is at the center of the vision board for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katja-millay/i-doubt-taking-in-a-sullen-bitter-teenage-girl-with-more-issues-than/) [Katja Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katja-millay/) > [Tireless passion, fierce jealousy, longing to possess and crush-these alone were left of all his love for Rosalind; these remained to him as payment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/tireless-passion-fierce-jealousy-longing-to-possess-and-crush-these/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [Life is too bitter already, without territories and wars and noble feuds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-too-bitter-already-without-territories-and-wars-and-noble/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [With every interview you feel like you lose a piece of yourself, and with every bad review you become just that little bit more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-march/with-every-interview-you-feel-like-you-lose-a-piece-of-yourself-and/) [Jane March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-march/) > [“Without the bitter, the sweet ain’t as sweet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/without-the-bitter-the-sweet-ain-t-as-sweet/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I refuse to be one of those artists who, 10 years from now, they're bitter about the rise and the fall of their career.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-bryan/i-refuse-to-be-one-of-those-artists-who-10-years-from-now-they-re/) [Luke Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-bryan/) > [“In these days in which we live, when existence has become a thing of infinite complexity and fate, if it slips us a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/in-these-days-in-which-we-live-when-existence-has-become-a-thing-of/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/if-a-sudden-jar-can-cause-me-to-speak-an-impatient-unloving-word-then/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) Browse all 1,923 Bitter quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes I think it's better to suffer bitter unhappiness and to fight and to scream out, and even to suffer that terrible pain, than to just be... safe. 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