“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must have felt what it is to die, Morrel, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life. Live, then, and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget that, until the day God deigns to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these two words: 'Wait and hope.'”
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About this quote
Deep loss changes how you feel about everything that follows; small comforts can feel enormous after you’ve been through real pain. Most of what we call happiness is a comparison we make between moments, and that comparison can be shifted by time. Give yourself room to sit with what hurts, and practice a patient kind of hope rather than forcing a quick fix. Ask yourself whether you’re rushing past feeling what matters, or letting things settle so joy can land more fully.
When to use it
- After losing my job last year: I told my friend, "You know, having hit rock bottom makes this new offer feel like more than just a salary — I can actually enjoy it."
- At my dad's funeral: I said to my sister, "We’ve been through the worst of it; when we laugh at dinner again, it’ll mean something different now."
- During long rehab after a knee surgery: I reminded my trainer, "Having spent months in pain, I’ll appreciate every step when I’m back on the field."
- When finally paying off debt: I told my partner, "We struggled for years — now small comforts feel like real relief, not guilty treats."