--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Life holds only one tragedy, ultimately…" description: "\"Life holds only one tragedy, ultimately: not to have been a saint.\" — Charles Peguy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/charles-peguy-18276_has-beens_life-holds-only-one-tragedy-ultimately-n_1840672.jpg" --- # Life holds only one tragedy, ultimately: not to have been… ![“Life holds only one tragedy, ultimately: not to have been a saint.” quote by Charles Peguy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/charles-peguy-18276_has-beens_life-holds-only-one-tragedy-ultimately-n_1840672.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/charles-peguy-18276_has-beens_life-holds-only-one-tragedy-ultimately-n_1840672.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/charles-peguy-18276_has-beens_life-holds-only-one-tragedy-ultimately-n_1840672.jpg) > “Life holds only one tragedy, ultimately: not to have been a saint.” [Charles Peguy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-peguy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The greatest tragedy is failing to strive for moral excellence. **In simple terms:** Not being a saint is tragic. Key Takeaway Pursue moral excellence. Themes morality tragedy spirituality humanity Mood inspirational contemplative Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal growth - ethical decision‑making - spiritual practice Key Concepts saintliness ethical aspiration Questions to Reflect On - What does being a saint mean to you? - How can ordinary people embody saintly virtues? A Different Perspective High moral standards may be unrealistic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Holds Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holds-tragedy-2347114/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Holds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-holds-682370/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint/) [Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy/) [Tragedy Ultimately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy-ultimately-2347112/) [Ultimately Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimately-saint-2347113/) ## Related quotes > [“Léon Bloy wrote: 'Life holds only one tragedy: not to have been a saint”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/l-on-bloy-wrote-life-holds-only-one-tragedy-not-to-have-been-a-saint/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [For the Christian, every tragedy is ultimately a blessing, or God is a liar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/for-the-christian-every-tragedy-is-ultimately-a-blessing-or-god-is-a/) [R. 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The image of a white Jesus has been used to justify enslavement, conquest, colonialism, the genocide of indigenous peoples. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/here-s-the-reality-the-image-of-a-white-jesus-has-been-used-to/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [During the last 17 years... 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