None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
What wisdom, what warning can prevail against gladness? There is no law so strong that a little gladness may not transgress.
Interpretation
Gladness can overcome any wisdom or warning, proving to be a powerful force.
In this quote, Thoreau suggests that the power of joy and happiness can transcend caution and wisdom. No matter the strength of the law or the seriousness of a warning, a sense of gladness has the ability to defy those constraints and bring a sense of freedom and fulfillment.
In practice
This quote can be used during a motivational speech to emphasize the importance of joy in overcoming challenges.
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling and spending their lives like servants.
An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.
That grand old poem called Winter
As for disappointing them I should not so much mind; but I can't abide to disappoint myself.
All great spirituality is about what we do with our pain. If we do not transform our pain, we will transmit it to those around us.
I would say you might encounter many defeats but you must never be defeated, ever. In fact, it might even be necessary to confront defeat. It might be necessary, to get over it, all the way through it, and go on. I would teach her to laugh a lot. Laugh a lot at the - and the silliest things and be very, very serious. I'd teach her to love life, I can bet you that.
My whole goal is to keep my spirit intact. If that doesn't happen, none of this is worth it.
I know the world is filled with troubles and many injustices. But reality is as beautiful as it is ugly. I think it is just as important to sing about beautiful mornings as it is to talk about slums. I just couldn't write anything without hope in it.
If you carry your cross joyfully, it will carry you.
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