--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The other thing that's useful for me is…" description: "\"The other thing that's useful for me is this notion of the absolute versus the relative:if we walk out and it's a beautiful morning, it's only a beauti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/george-saunders-317_absolute_the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is_454787.jpg" --- # The other thing that's useful for me is this notion of the… ![“The other thing that's useful for me is this notion of the absolute versus the relative:if we walk out and it's a beautiful morning, it's only a beautiful morning because we don't have a broken leg or hemorrhoids or something.” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/george-saunders-317_absolute_the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is_454787.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/george-saunders-317_absolute_the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is_454787.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/george-saunders-317_absolute_the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is_454787.jpg) > “The other thing that's useful for me is this notion of the absolute versus the relative:if we walk out and it's a beautiful morning, it's only a beautiful morning because we don't have a broken leg or hemorrhoids or something.” [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding that comfort is defined by the absence of pain, not by positive experiences alone. **In simple terms:** Comfort depends on lacking suffering. Key Takeaway Recognize and appreciate present blessings. Themes gratitude perspective wellness Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily health - mental health - personal reflection Key Concepts relative vs absolute mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What discomfort are you overlooking? - How does recognizing lack shape happiness? A Different Perspective Ignoring positive aspects can lead to complacency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolutes/) [Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful/) [Beautiful morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful-morning/) [Hemorrhoids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hemorrhoids/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) ## Related quotes > [The movies are celluloid hemorrhoids. No, worse: They're celluloid Bon Jovi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-smith/the-movies-are-celluloid-hemorrhoids-no-worse-they-re-celluloid-bon/) [Kyle Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-smith/) > [Nothing can be said about our politics that has not already been said about hemorrhoids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-can-be-said-about-our-politics-that-has-not-already-been-said/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Hemorrhoids can bleed, typically after a bowel movement, producing blood-streaked stool or toilet paper, .. The blood may turn water in the toilet bowl…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-the-great/hemorrhoids-can-bleed-typically-after-a-bowel-movement-producing/) [Alfred the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-the-great/) > [Sir, this lane is for ten items or less. I’m counting thirteen items in your cart, including that hemorrhoid cream. And while hemorrhoids might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sir-this-lane-is-for-ten-items-or-less-i-m-counting-thirteen-items-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You must be Pain in the Nick.” – Dev “Huh?” – Nick “Don’t wet your pets. Just a figure of speech. Your mom’s been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/you-must-be-pain-in-the-nick-dev-huh-nick-don-t-wet-your-pets-just-a/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [One poll showed that Americans have a higher opinion of witches, the IRS and hemorrhoids than Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-coburn/one-poll-showed-that-americans-have-a-higher-opinion-of-witches-the/) [Tom Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-coburn/) > [Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "assteroids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/why-are-hemorrhoids-called-hemorrhoids-instead-of-assteroids/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I'm sitting on top of the world, and I've got hemorrhoids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/i-m-sitting-on-top-of-the-world-and-i-ve-got-hemorrhoids/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [I think God created ex-wives to remind us that hemorrhoids really aren't the biggest pain the ass!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-lee/i-think-god-created-ex-wives-to-remind-us-that-hemorrhoids-really/) [Jason Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-lee/) > [I saw a sign one time that said 'hemorrhoids awareness week' at the doctor's office. Let me tell you, if you got hemorrhoids, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-the-cable-guy/i-saw-a-sign-one-time-that-said-hemorrhoids-awareness-week-at-the/) [Larry the Cable Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-the-cable-guy/) > [The one who swallows cactuses with spines should not complain about hemorrhoids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etgar-keret/the-one-who-swallows-cactuses-with-spines-should-not-complain-about/) [Etgar Keret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etgar-keret/) > [I have, of all the inglorious things, a malignant hemorrhoid. What color bracelet does one wear for that? And where does one wear it?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/i-have-of-all-the-inglorious-things-a-malignant-hemorrhoid-what-color/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [When I first started out, I was considered a crackpot. The doctors used to say, "Don't go to that Jack LaLanne, you'll get hemorrhoids,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-lalanne/when-i-first-started-out-i-was-considered-a-crackpot-the-doctors-used/) [Jack LaLanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-lalanne/) > [I was playing basketball, and I had hemorrhoids in high school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-shaffir/i-was-playing-basketball-and-i-had-hemorrhoids-in-high-school/) [Ari Shaffir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-shaffir/) > [Why are hemorrhoids called hemorrhoids and asteroids called asteroids? Wouldn't it make more sense if it was the other way around? But if that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schimmel/why-are-hemorrhoids-called-hemorrhoids-and-asteroids-called-asteroids/) [Robert Schimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schimmel/) ## More by George Saunders > [Success is like a mountain in front of you that keeps growing. If you're not careful, it will take up your whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/success-is-like-a-mountain-in-front-of-you-that-keeps-growing-if-you/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [“Wow wow wow is all I can say! Remember how I always buy lunchtime Scratch-Off ticket? Have I said? Maybe did not say? Well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/wow-wow-wow-is-all-i-can-say-remember-how-i-always-buy-lunchtime/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [“None of it was real; nothing was real. Everything was real; inconceivably real, infinitely dear. These and all things started as nothing, latent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/none-of-it-was-real-nothing-was-real-everything-was-real/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [“We must see God not as a Him (some linear rewarding fellow) but an IT, a great beast beyond our understanding, who wants something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/we-must-see-god-not-as-a-him-some-linear-rewarding-fellow-but-an-it-a/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [America, to me, should be shouting all the time, a bunch of shouting voices, most of them wrong, some of them nuts, but please,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/america-to-me-should-be-shouting-all-the-time-a-bunch-of-shouting/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [In my case, when I am trying to be "kind" I often default in a sort of toothless loving-all stance that is, actually, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/in-my-case-when-i-am-trying-to-be-kind-i-often-default-in-a-sort-of/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [Whatever your supposed politics are - left, right - if you put it in a human connection, most people will rise to the occasion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/whatever-your-supposed-politics-are-left-right-if-you-put-it-in-a/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [“A Clinton staffer tells me his theory. Think about Frank Sinatra, he says: born to sing. Think about Willie Mays: born to play ball.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/a-clinton-staffer-tells-me-his-theory-think-about-frank-sinatra-he/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [We try, we fail, we posture, we aspire, we pontificate - and then we age, shrink, die, and vanish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/we-try-we-fail-we-posture-we-aspire-we-pontificate-and-then-we-age/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [“You were torturing a cat," she says. "With a freaking prod." "A prod I built myself in metal shop," he says. "But of course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/you-were-torturing-a-cat-she-says-with-a-freaking-prod-a-prod-i-built/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [“Rachel got up and did this happy little shuffle, like she was some cheerful farmer chick who'd just stepped outside to find the hick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/rachel-got-up-and-did-this-happy-little-shuffle-like-she-was-some/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [What America is, to me, is a guy doesn't want to buy, you let him not buy, you respect his not buying. A guy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/what-america-is-to-me-is-a-guy-doesn-t-want-to-buy-you-let-him-not/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [What good the prophet in the wilderness may do is incremental and personal. It's good for us to hear someone speak the irrational truth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/what-good-the-prophet-in-the-wilderness-may-do-is-incremental-and/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [We're in the transition between birth and death. But the one that people often know about is the transition between the moment of death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/we-re-in-the-transition-between-birth-and-death-but-the-one-that/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [You don't want to be that parent - the one who dresses his kid in a cloth sack when all the other kids are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/you-don-t-want-to-be-that-parent-the-one-who-dresses-his-kid-in-a/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) [Explore all 690 George Saunders quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) ## More Absolute quotes > [“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-intoxication-of-the-ego-of-i-am/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [Absolute is a game with only one player where Absolute forgets itself so it would have a reason to fulfill the motion while returning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/absolute-is-a-game-with-only-one-player-where-absolute-forgets-itself/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [“The necessity of nothingness does not create anything. The real value and meaning of the Being are not in its necessity but in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/the-necessity-of-nothingness-does-not-create-anything-the-real-value/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [Anarchy is the stepping stone to absolute power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/anarchy-is-the-stepping-stone-to-absolute-power/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [I can like something. You can like something. It's not an absolute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-i-am/i-can-like-something-you-can-like-something-it-s-not-an-absolute/) [will.i.am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-i-am/) > [Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frida-kahlo/nothing-is-absolute-everything-changes-everything-moves-everything/) [Frida Kahlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frida-kahlo/) > [I - it's simply not for me to evaluate an independent rating agency's processes. But I will say that there was reason to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-carney/i-it-s-simply-not-for-me-to-evaluate-an-independent-rating-agency-s/) [Jay Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-carney/) > [Absolute morality is the regulation of conduct in such a way that pain shall not be inflicted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/absolute-morality-is-the-regulation-of-conduct-in-such-a-way-that/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [What is liberty? There is no such thing as absolute liberty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benito-mussolini/what-is-liberty-there-is-no-such-thing-as-absolute-liberty/) [Benito Mussolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benito-mussolini/) > [Doing the right thing at all costs is an absolute, and only a sith deals in absolutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-filoni/doing-the-right-thing-at-all-costs-is-an-absolute-and-only-a-sith/) [Dave Filoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-filoni/) > [“Energy is the world-born phenomenon, the world that puts itself in motion and flies into space by receiving space into itself. From this point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/energy-is-the-world-born-phenomenon-the-world-that-puts-itself-in/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [“As we see it, space is possible only when the primordial Being swallows emptiness. Space is born when the Being accepts emptiness, the Nonbeing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/as-we-see-it-space-is-possible-only-when-the-primordial-being/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [Absolute faith can blind you to the consequences of the actions you allow. It can tell you it's okay to drop bombs on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-denton/absolute-faith-can-blind-you-to-the-consequences-of-the-actions-you/) [Andrew Denton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-denton/) > [“Zero is a gateway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/zero-is-a-gateway/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [Absolute perfection is here and now, not in some future, near or far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/absolute-perfection-is-here-and-now-not-in-some-future-near-or-far/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) Browse all 631 Absolute quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The other thing that's useful for me is this notion of the absolute versus the relative:if we walk out and it's a beautiful morning, it's only a beautiful morning because we don't have a broken leg or hemorrhoids or something.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George Saunders" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is-this-notion-of-the-absolute/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Absolute" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is-this-notion-of-the-absolute/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/george-saunders-317_absolute_the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is_454787.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/george-saunders-317_absolute_the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is_454787.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27d/george-saunders-317_absolute_the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is_454787.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The other thing that's useful for me is this notion of the absolute versus the relative:if we walk out and…” — George Saunders", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "George Saunders", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The other thing that's useful for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is-this-notion-of-the-absolute/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/the-other-thing-that-s-useful-for-me-is-this-notion-of-the-absolute/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```