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
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