Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.
John RuskinRead
Cheerfulness is as natural to the heart of a man in strong health as color to his cheek; and wherever there is habitual gloom there must be either bad air, unwholesome food, improperly severe labor, or erring habits of life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Cheerfulness is a natural state of a healthy person, while gloom indicates underlying issues.
In this quote, John Ruskin highlights the inherent connection between physical health and emotional well-being. He suggests that just as a healthy person displays a natural color in their cheeks, their cheerfulness stems from being in good health. Conversely, persistent gloominess points to potential problems such as poor air quality, unhealthy eating, excessive labor, or negative lifestyle habits, emphasizing the importance of taking care of both body and mind.
Themes
CheerfulnessHealthGloomHappinessWell-Being
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about health and happiness, this quote can inspire listeners to maintain their physical and mental well-being.
More from John Ruskin
All quotes →In health of mind and body, men should see with their own eyes, hear and speak without trumpets, walk on their feet, not on wheels, and work and war with their arms, not with engine-beams, nor rifles warranted to kill twenty men at a shot before you can see them.
John RuskinRead
You talk of the scythe of Time, and the tooth of Time: I tell you, Time is scytheless and toothless; it is we who gnaw like the worm - we who smite like the scythe. It is ourselves who abolish - ourselves who consume: we are the mildew, and the flame.
John RuskinRead
To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered.
John RuskinRead
See that your children be taught, not only the labors of the earth, but the loveliness of it.
John RuskinRead
A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
John RuskinRead
Similar quotes
Genuine happiness consists in those spiritual qualities of love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness and so on. For it is these which provide both for our happiness and others happiness.
Dalai LamaRead
We have thousands of opportunities every day to be grateful: for having good weather, to have slept well last night, to be able to get up, to be healthy, to have enough to eat. ... There's opportunity upon opportunity to be grateful; that's what life is.
David Steindl-RastRead
Many people think excitement is happiness.... But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.
Nhat HanhRead
There are days when none of us can bear it, but the good comes around again. Happiness is seasonal, like anything else. Wait it out. There are people who love you. People who can help.
Sue GraftonRead
Left to my own devices, would I trade this for firm thighs, fewer wrinkles, a better memory? On some days. That's why it's such a blessing I'm not left to my own devices. Because the truth is I have amazing friends and a deep faith in God, to whom I can turn. I have a cool kid, a sweet boyfriend, darling pets. I've learned to pay attention to life, and to listen. I'd give up all this for a flatter belly? Are you crazy?
Anne LamottRead
Can you be happy with the movies, and the ads, and the clothes in the stores, and the doctors, and the eyes as you walk down the street all telling you there is something wrong with you? No. You cannot be happy. Because, you poor darling baby, you believe them.
Katherine DunnRead