Comfort Quote by Christopher Marlowe
“Faustus: Stay, Mephistopheles, and tell me, what good will my soul do thy lord? Mephistopheles: Enlarge his kingdom. Faustus: Is that the reason he tempts us thus? Mephistopheles: Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris. (It is a comfort to the wretched to have companions in misery)”
About This Quote
Source Play: Doctor Faustus, 1604
Mephistopheles offers a false promise of power, suggesting that sharing misery can be a twisted comfort.
In simple terms: Shared misery is a perverse comfort.
Key Takeaway
Beware seductive promises of power.
Themes
temptation
power
misery
comfort
Mood
dark
thought‑provoking
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career ambition
- relationship conflict
- addiction
- moral dilemmas
Key Concepts
literary analysis
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “solamen miseris” reveal about human nature?
- How can we avoid seeking comfort in harmful alliances?
A Different Perspective
Comfort in shared suffering may normalize pain.
