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Happiness is brief. It will not stay. God batters at its sails.
Euripides
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Happiness is temporary and fleeting, often challenged by external forces.

This quote by Euripides suggests that happiness is not a permanent state; it comes and goes like a ship's sails caught in the winds. Despite our desire for enduring joy, external pressures and life's challenges can disrupt our sense of well-being, reminding us that we must appreciate these moments of happiness while they last.

Themes

HappinessFleetingJoyLifeChallenges

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about embracing life's ups and downs.

More from Euripides

I love the old way best, the simple way of poison, where we too are strong as men.
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Mankind . . . possesses two supreme blessings. First of these is the goddess Demeter, or Earth whichever name you choose to call her by. It was she who gave to man his nourishment of grain. But after her there came the son of Semele, who matched her present by inventing liquid wine as his gift to man. For filled with that good gift, suffering mankind forgets its grief; from it comes sleep; with it oblivion of the troubles of the day. There is no other medicine for misery.
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Money is far more persuasive than logical arguments.
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Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.
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Who then will dare to say I'm weak or timid? No, they'll say I'm loyal as a friend, ruthless as a foe, so much like a hero destined for glory.
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Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.
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