Bitter Quote by Charles Kingsley
““Greatness? I have tasted that cup within the last twelve months; do I not know that it is sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the belly?””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Dream of Gerontius, 1865
Greatness feels both sweet and painful, offering pleasure yet also inner conflict and difficulty.
In simple terms: Greatness is sweet but also bitter.
Key Takeaway
Accept the dual nature of achievement.
Themes
ambition
conflict
inner struggle
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- artistic creation
- leadership
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What costs have you paid for success?
- How do you reconcile pleasure with pain?
A Different Perspective
Pursuing greatness can cause personal sacrifice.
