Business Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““Even here is something sad and terrible. But the impression is fleeting, and serves only to give a greater acuteness to the enjoyment of the moment. It is like the sadness which you may see in the jester's eyes when a merry company is laughing at his sallies; his lips smile and his jokes are gayer because in that communion of laughter he find himself more intolerably alone.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham, 1915
Brief sadness heightens present joy, revealing loneliness even in shared laughter.
In simple terms: Sadness makes moments richer.
Key Takeaway
Embrace fleeting sorrow to deepen present pleasure.
Themes
loneliness
joy
contrast
humanity
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- theatre performance
- social gatherings
- personal reflection
- artistic creation
Key Concepts
existentialism
emotional depth
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal loneliness affect your experience of communal joy?
- Can recognizing fleeting sadness improve your appreciation of happiness?
A Different Perspective
The insight may overlook that sorrow can also paralyze rather than enhance enjoyment.
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