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Feelings Quote by George Eliot

“It seems right to me sometimes that we should follow our strongest feeling; but then, such feelings continually come across the ties that our former life has made for us -- the ties that have made others dependent on us -- and would cut them in two. If life were quite easy and simple, as it might…” quote by George Eliot
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““It seems right to me sometimes that we should follow our strongest feeling; but then, such feelings continually come across the ties that our former life has made for us -- the ties that have made others dependent on us -- and would cut them in two. If life were quite easy and simple, as it might have been in paradise, and we could always see that one being first towards whom -- I mean, if life did not make duties for us before love comes, love would be a sign that two people ought to belong to each other. But I see -- I feel it is not so now; there are things we must renounce in life; some of us must resign love. Many thing are difficult and dark to me, but I see one thing quite clearly: that I must not, cannot, seek my own happiness by sacrificing others. Love is natural, but surely pity and faithfulness and memory are natural too. And they would live in me still and punish me if I did not obey them. I should be haunted by the suffering I had caused. Our love would be poisoned.””

George Eliot

About This Quote

Source Novel: Middlemarch by George Eliot, 1871

Balancing personal desire with responsibilities to others; true happiness cannot be built on sacrificing others.

In simple terms: Don’t pursue happiness at others’ expense.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize duty and empathy over selfish joy.

Themes

responsibility love ethics self‑sacrifice

Mood

conflicted reflective

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • family obligations
  • caregiving
  • marriage decisions
  • career vs. personal life

Key Concepts

moral duty interpersonal dependence psychological conflict

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you reconcile personal desires with obligations?
  • What duties outweigh love in your life?
A Different Perspective

May ignore personal needs, leading to resentment or burnout.

3.9 out of 5 (9 ratings)

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