Accidents Quote by Samuel Johnson
“For sorrow there is no remedy provided by nature; it is often occasioned by accidents irreparable, and dwells upon objects that have lost or changed their existence; it requires what it cannot hope, that the laws of the universe should be repealed; that the dead should return, or the past should be recalled.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Idler, 1759
Sorrow arises from irreversible loss and the impossibility of reversing time, revealing humanity’s yearning for restoration that nature cannot grant.
In simple terms: Sorrow comes from loss that can’t be undone.
Key Takeaway
Accept loss and find meaning beyond restoration.
Themes
grief
loss
impermanence
longing
Mood
somber
contemplative
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- bereavement
- trauma recovery
- creative expression
- historical reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What can you do to honor what is lost?
- How does acceptance change your experience of grief?
A Different Perspective
Attempts to reverse loss are futile; focusing on acceptance may be challenging.
