I love the old way best, the simple way of poison, where we too are strong as men.
EuripidesRead
Happiness is brief. It will not stay. God batters at its sails.
Interpretation
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.
In practice
During a motivational speech about embracing life's ups and downs.
I love the old way best, the simple way of poison, where we too are strong as men.
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.
Money is far more persuasive than logical arguments.
Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.
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.
Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.
The happy people are those who are producing something; the bored people are those who are consuming much and producing nothing.
Freedom is the real foundation of happiness.
Happiness cannot come from hatred or anger. Nobody can say, 'Today I am happy because this morning I was angry.' On the contrary, people feel uneasy and sad and say, 'Today I am not very happy, because I lost my temper this morning.'
Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.
Happiness is threatening and misery is safe - safe for the ego. Ego can exist only in misery and through misery. Ego is an island surrounded by hell; happiness is threatening to the ego, to the very existence of the ego. Happiness rises like a sun and the ego disappears, evaporates like a dewdrop on the grass leaf.
People keep saying, 'Oh, you're getting all these great reviews, that must make you really happy.' I guess it does, but mostly it's just a relief.
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