Misery Quote by Charles Dickens
““The misery with them all was, clearly, that they sought to interfere, for good, in human matters, and had lost the power for ever.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Great Expectations, 1861
People who meddle in others' affairs for noble reasons lose their own power and agency.
In simple terms: Interfering for good can strip you of power.
Beware of over‑involvement.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political activism
- community leadership
- personal relationships
- volunteering
- social work
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does helping become controlling?
- How can you support without overstepping?
Good intentions may backfire, causing dependency.