--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How shall I admire, how laugh, how…" description: "\"How shall I admire, how laugh, how rejoice, how exult, when I behold so many proud monarchs groaning in the lowest abyss of darkness; so many magistrat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/tertullian-3469_abyss_how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice_1116116.jpg" --- # How shall I admire, how laugh, how rejoice, how exult… ![“How shall I admire, how laugh, how rejoice, how exult, when I behold so many proud monarchs groaning in the lowest abyss of darkness; so many magistrates liquefying in fiercer flames than they ever kindled against the Christians; so many sages philosophers blushing in red-hot fires with their…” quote by Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/tertullian-3469_abyss_how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice_1116116.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/tertullian-3469_abyss_how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice_1116116.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/tertullian-3469_abyss_how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice_1116116.jpg) > “How shall I admire, how laugh, how rejoice, how exult, when I behold so many proud monarchs groaning in the lowest abyss of darkness; so many magistrates liquefying in fiercer flames than they ever kindled against the Christians; so many sages philosophers blushing in red-hot fires with their deluded pupils; so many tragedians more tuneful in the expression of their own sufferings; so many dancers tripping more nimbly from anguish then ever before from applause.” [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote depicts a world where the powerful and learned suffer, urging believers to find joy despite widespread suffering and injustice. **In simple terms:** Even the mighty suffer; find joy anyway. Key Takeaway Embrace joy amidst suffering. Themes suffering joy faith justice humility Mood somber hopeful reflective Type philosophical spiritual literary When to use this quote - personal reflection - public preaching - teaching - spiritual counseling Key Concepts theology existentialism contrasting perspectives Questions to Reflect On - How can one maintain joy in the face of widespread suffering? - What role does faith play in redefining joy? A Different Perspective The focus on joy may overlook the depth of collective trauma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abyss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abyss/) [Admire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admire/) [Admire Laugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admire-laugh-2997593/) [Anguish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anguish/) [Anguish Applause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anguish-applause-2997591/) [Applause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/applause/) [Behold Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behold-proud-2997595/) [Blushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blushing/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Dancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancer/) [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Deluded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deluded/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Expression Sufferings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression-sufferings-2997592/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Flames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flames/) [Groaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groaning/) [Hot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hot/) [Laughing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughing/) [Lowest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lowest/) [Magistrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magistrates/) [Monarchs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monarchs/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophers Blushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophers-blushing-2997594/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Pupils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pupils/) [Red](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red/) [Red hot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red-hot/) [Rejoice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rejoice/) [Sage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sage/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Tripping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tripping/) ## Related quotes > [You can only do so much grunting and groaning and then you're done, you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-t-nelson/you-can-only-do-so-much-grunting-and-groaning-and-then-you-re-done/) [Craig T. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-t-nelson/) > [“The temptation to just crawl up onto the bank and lie there in a huddled mass of misery was almost overwhelming, but some part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-litton/the-temptation-to-just-crawl-up-onto-the-bank-and-lie-there-in-a/) [Josie Litton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-litton/) > [The triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment. Whereas the groanings of the righteous are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ebenezer-erskine/the-triumphing-of-the-wicked-is-short-and-the-joy-of-the-hypocrite/) [Ebenezer Erskine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ebenezer-erskine/) > [What's the use of dying in a ward surrounded by a lot of groaning and croaking incurables? Wouldn't it be much better to throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/what-s-the-use-of-dying-in-a-ward-surrounded-by-a-lot-of-groaning-and/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [Everything was for tomorrow, but tomorrow never came. The present was only a bridge and on this bridge they are still groaning, as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/everything-was-for-tomorrow-but-tomorrow-never-came-the-present-was/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [Cry "havoc!" and let loose the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/cry-havoc-and-let-loose-the-dogs-of-war-that-this-foul-deed-shall/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Every true prayer is a prayer of the Church; by means of that prayer the Church prays, since it is the Holy Spirit living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-stein/every-true-prayer-is-a-prayer-of-the-church-by-means-of-that-prayer/) [Edith Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-stein/) > [So shall the world go on, To good malignant, to bad men benign, Under her own weight groaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/so-shall-the-world-go-on-to-good-malignant-to-bad-men-benign-under/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [If you must keep groaning, please try to do it in a rhythm I can dance to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-brilliant/if-you-must-keep-groaning-please-try-to-do-it-in-a-rhythm-i-can-dance/) [Ashleigh Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-brilliant/) > [I thought, He must forebear to reveal His power and glory by presenting Himself as Himself, and must be present only in the ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/i-thought-he-must-forebear-to-reveal-his-power-and-glory-by/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [I can never acknowledge the right of slavery. I will bow down to no deity however worshipped by professing Christians - however dignified by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thaddeus-stevens/i-can-never-acknowledge-the-right-of-slavery-i-will-bow-down-to-no/) [Thaddeus Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thaddeus-stevens/) > [For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-the-apostle/for-the-creation-was-subjected-to-frustration-not-by-its-own-choice/) [Paul the Apostle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-the-apostle/) > [But how carve way i' the life that lies before, If bent on groaning ever for the past?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/but-how-carve-way-i-the-life-that-lies-before-if-bent-on-groaning/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [They say 'life is precious'. To who? To you, when you're young and you've got a few dollars in your pocket. Tell that to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/they-say-life-is-precious-to-who-to-you-when-you-re-young-and-you-ve/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [Learning to live as a Christian is learning to live as a renewed human being, anticipating the eventual new creation in and with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright-2/learning-to-live-as-a-christian-is-learning-to-live-as-a-renewed/) [N. T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright-2/) ## More by Tertullian > [The soul whose bosom lust did never touch Is God's fair bride; and maiden's souls are such.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-soul-whose-bosom-lust-did-never-touch-is-god-s-fair-bride-and/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [You can't undo anything you've already done, but you can face up to it. You can tell the truth. You can seek forgiveness. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/you-can-t-undo-anything-you-ve-already-done-but-you-can-face-up-to-it/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Indeed it is better to postpone, lest either we complete too little by hurrying, or wander too long in completing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/indeed-it-is-better-to-postpone-lest-either-we-complete-too-little-by/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [A man becomes a Christian, he is not born one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/a-man-becomes-a-christian-he-is-not-born-one/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [The Word, then, the Christ, is the cause both of our ancient beginning, for lie was in God, and of our well-being. And now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-word-then-the-christ-is-the-cause-both-of-our-ancient-beginning/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [But now inquiry is being made concerning these issues. First, can any believer enlist in the military? Second, can any soldier, even those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/but-now-inquiry-is-being-made-concerning-these-issues-first-can-any/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Let women paint their eyes with tints of chastity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/let-women-paint-their-eyes-with-tints-of-chastity/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-blood-of-the-martyrs-is-the-seed-of-the-church/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [It is certainly no part of religion to compel religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/it-is-certainly-no-part-of-religion-to-compel-religion/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Now then, you dogs, whom the apostle puts outside and who yelp at the God of truth, let us come to your various questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/now-then-you-dogs-whom-the-apostle-puts-outside-and-who-yelp-at-the/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Hope is patience with the lamp lit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/hope-is-patience-with-the-lamp-lit/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [What has Athens to do with Jerusalem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/what-has-athens-to-do-with-jerusalem/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [God the Father's a deep root; the Son's the shoot that breaks into the world; the Spirit spreads the beauty & fragrance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/god-the-father-s-a-deep-root-the-son-s-the-shoot-that-breaks-into-the/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [The nature of rumor is known to all](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-nature-of-rumor-is-known-to-all/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Prevention of birth is premature murder, and it makes no difference whether it is a life already born that one snatches away or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/prevention-of-birth-is-premature-murder-and-it-makes-no-difference/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) [Explore all 130 Tertullian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) ## More Abyss quotes > [We never think that our mothers will die. It was like suddenly an abyss opened at my feet - I was standing on nothing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-okri/we-never-think-that-our-mothers-will-die-it-was-like-suddenly-an/) [Ben Okri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-okri/) > [Early on a difficult climb, especially a solo climb, you’re hyper-aware of the abyss pulling at your back, constantly feeling its call, its immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/early-on-a-difficult-climb-especially-a-solo-climb-you-re-hyper-aware/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [“The whole organization seemed to be in free fall, indulging in a collective fantasy in which experienced colleagues refused to admit that their every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-whole-organization-seemed-to-be-in-free-fall-indulging-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Adam became so proud that he wished to become God and died for his pride; the Son of God humbled Himself unto death, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-kronstadt/adam-became-so-proud-that-he-wished-to-become-god-and-died-for-his/) [John of Kronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-kronstadt/) > [The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us that our existence is but a brief crack of light between two eternities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-nabokov/the-cradle-rocks-above-an-abyss-and-common-sense-tells-us-that-our/) [Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-nabokov/) > [In the end things must be as they are and have always been--the great things remain for the great, the abysses for the profound,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-the-end-things-must-be-as-they-are-and-have-always-been-the-great/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I admire the Elsie Tanners and Barbara Windsors of the world: people who have crawled back from the abyss. I'm quite camp in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-eclair/i-admire-the-elsie-tanners-and-barbara-windsors-of-the-world-people/) [Jenny Eclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-eclair/) > [I've been to unpretty places with the roles I've played, and I'm attracted to reckless abandon. I like being taken to the edge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-ifans/i-ve-been-to-unpretty-places-with-the-roles-i-ve-played-and-i-m/) [Rhys Ifans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-ifans/) > [I look into my heart and see the abyss looking back at me.' 'I won't let you fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/i-look-into-my-heart-and-see-the-abyss-looking-back-at-me-i-won-t-let/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [There is no drop of water in the ocean, not even in the deepest parts of the abyss, that does not know and respond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-carson/there-is-no-drop-of-water-in-the-ocean-not-even-in-the-deepest-parts/) [Rachel Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-carson/) > [“But first whom shall we send In search of this new world, whom shall we find Sufficient? Who shall tempt, with wand'ring feet The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/but-first-whom-shall-we-send-in-search-of-this-new-world-whom-shall/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Many women don’t know what orgasm is. Many men don’t know was total orgasm is. Many only achieve a local orgasm, a genital orgasm;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-women-don-t-know-what-orgasm-is-many-men-don-t-know-was-total/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Fear not. For fear itself is fed by fear, and all fears pass. Did no one tell you so? Come take my hand, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/fear-not-for-fear-itself-is-fed-by-fear-and-all-fears-pass-did-no-one/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [God gave the sea the danger and the abyss, but it was in it that He mirrored the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/god-gave-the-sea-the-danger-and-the-abyss-but-it-was-in-it-that-he/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) > [We belong to an age where apocalypse is our daily bread, coffee's black, and we know we're part of the abyss. Red Spider White…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-aldiss/we-belong-to-an-age-where-apocalypse-is-our-daily-bread-coffee-s/) [Brian Aldiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-aldiss/) [Browse all 625 Abyss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abyss/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "How shall I admire, how laugh, how rejoice, how exult, when I behold so many proud monarchs groaning in the lowest abyss of darkness; so many magistrates liquefying in fiercer flames than they ever kindled against the Christians; so many sages philosophers blushing in red-hot fires with their deluded pupils; so many tragedians more tuneful in the expression of their own sufferings; so many dancers tripping more nimbly from anguish then ever before from applause.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tertullian" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice-how-exult-when-i-behold-so/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abyss" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice-how-exult-when-i-behold-so/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/tertullian-3469_abyss_how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice_1116116.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/tertullian-3469_abyss_how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice_1116116.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/tertullian-3469_abyss_how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice_1116116.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“How shall I admire, how laugh, how rejoice, how exult, when I behold so many proud monarchs groaning in the…” — Tertullian", "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": "Tertullian", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "How shall I admire, how laugh,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice-how-exult-when-i-behold-so/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/how-shall-i-admire-how-laugh-how-rejoice-how-exult-when-i-behold-so/#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 } } ] } ```