Quotations

Remarks poets made beyond their poems — letters, journals, conversation — gathered as a readable library. Browse by topic or author, or search the words themselves. Currently 7,220 active remarks.

Choose another topic

Topic: Happiness

Showing 24 of 85 · page 2 of 4

“The happiness of this earthly life is only a secondary thing, as all those know who have pursued happiness and found its fruit bitter.”

Original: Lecz to szczęście ziemskie jest tylko podrzędną rzeczą i wiedzą o tem wszyscy, którzy tylko za szczęściem gonili, i którym ten owoc w ustach zgorzkniał. — He places worldly happiness below the deeper spiritual purposes that increasingly governed his life. · Letter to his mother, 18 March 1843 (Polish)

“I often dream of the day when we shall live together in a modest country house with a fruit garden, and perhaps we shall be happy.”

Original: Marzę sobie, jak to my kiedyś zamieszkamy w skromnym dworku z owocowym sadem, jak będziem mieli co wieczór kilku miłych przyjaciół, a czasem pójdziemy do żydowskiej szopy, gdzie przy łojowych świeczkach będą włóczący się aktorowie grać komedyjki, umyślnie dla ciebie napisane. — The imagined future is modest, domestic and communal rather than grand or worldly. · Letter to his mother, 1842 (Polish)

“I had several events this month that flattered my pride, so I experienced several moments of happiness. Admit that it is a wretched life that finds happiness in such things.”

Original: Miałem w tym miesiącu kilka zdarzeń pochlebiających mojej dumie, więc doznałem kilka chwil szczęścia, wyznajcie, że nędzne to życie, co w tym szczęścia szuka! — He recognises the emptiness of confusing wounded pride with genuine happiness. · Letter to his mother, December 1832 (Polish)

Skip to main content