Affectionate Quote by Charles Dickens
“It is an exquisite and beautiful thing in our nature, that, when the heart is touched and softened by some tranquil happiness or affectionate feeling, the memory of the dead comes over it most powerfully and irresistibly. It would seem almost as though our better thoughts and sympathies were charms, in virtue of which the soul is enabled to hold some vague and mysterious intercourse with the spirits of those whom we loved in life. Alas! how often and how long may these patient angels hover around us, watching for the spell which is so soon forgotten!”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Great Expectations, Charles Dickens, 1861
When we feel deep, gentle happiness, memories of loved ones who have died become vivid and compelling, as if our thoughts can connect us with their spirits.
In simple terms: Tender joy revives memories of the dead.
Key Takeaway
Cherish moments of gentle happiness.
Themes
memory
grief
connection
spirituality
Mood
reflective
melancholic
hopeful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- mourning
- celebrating anniversaries
- comforting the bereaved
- reflecting on loss
Key Concepts
nostalgia
emotional resonance
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does gentle happiness affect your remembrance of lost loved ones?
- Can you find comfort in these memories?
A Different Perspective
The connection may be more poetic than literal, and grief can also cloud perception.
![“If I do manage to come up with a scheme [to naming], however, I stick to it, which is why my cats are named after gods-Loki and Athena, who are, respectively, absolutely straightforward and affectionate, and dumber than dirt. I learned my lesson. I will name my next cat 'Satan' or 'Marduk' or…” quote by Ursula Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85d/ursula-vernon-21101_affectionate_if-i-do-manage-to-come-up-with-a-scheme_100482.jpg)
