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Happiest people Quote by Mikhail Lermontov

“I have an unfortunate character; whether it is my upbringing that made me like that or God who created me so, I do not know. I know only that if I cause unhappiness to others, I myself am no less happy. I realize this is poor consolation for them - but the fact remains that it is so. In my early…” quote by Mikhail Lermontov
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““I have an unfortunate character; whether it is my upbringing that made me like that or God who created me so, I do not know. I know only that if I cause unhappiness to others, I myself am no less happy. I realize this is poor consolation for them - but the fact remains that it is so. In my early youth, after leaving the guardianship of my parents, I plunged into all the pleasures money could buy, and naturally these pleasures grew distasteful to me. Then I went into high society, but soon enough grew tired of it; I fell in love with beautiful society women and was loved by them, but their love only aggravated my imagination and vanity while my heart remained desolate... I began to read and to study, but wearied of learning, too; I saw that neither fame nor happiness depended on it in the slightest, for the happiest people were the ignorant, and fame was a matter of luck, to achieve which you only had to be shrewd...””

Mikhail Lermontov

About This Quote

Source Poem: Unnamed, 1840

He confesses personal flaws and the futility of wealth, fame, and learning in achieving happiness.

In simple terms: Flaws and worldly pursuits fail to bring happiness.

Key Takeaway

Seek meaning beyond material and intellectual pursuits.

Themes

self-awareness vanity disillusionment

Mood

melancholic introspective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • wealth pursuit
  • social climbing
  • intellectual fatigue
  • search for purpose

Key Concepts

existentialism moral philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What truly brings you contentment?
  • Is ignorance truly bliss?
A Different Perspective

His pessimism may ignore the value of learning and relationships.

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