But what is after all the happiness of mere power? There is a greater happiness possible than to be lord of heaven and earth; that is the happiness of being truly loved.
Interpretation
True happiness comes from being loved rather than holding power.
Lafcadio Hearn's quote emphasizes that despite the allure of power and control over the world, a deeper and more profound happiness is found in genuine love and affection from others. It suggests that relationships and emotional connections fulfill us in ways that authority and dominance cannot.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of emotional well-being, one might say, 'As Lafcadio Hearn reminds us, true happiness comes from being truly loved.'
The tea ceremony requires years of training and practice ... yet the whole of this art, as to its detail, signifies no more than the making and serving of a cup of tea. The supremely important matter is that the act be performed in the most perfect, most polite, most graceful, most charming manner possible.
No man can possibly know what life means, what the world means, until he has a child and loves it. And then the whole universe changes and nothing will ever again seem exactly as it seemed before.
Japanese affection is not uttered in words; it scarcely appears even in the tone of voice; it is chiefly shown in acts of exquisite courtesy and kindness.
In the world of reality the more beautiful a work of art, the longer, we may be sure, was the time required to make it, and the greater the number of different minds which assisted in its development.
May Thy Love shine forever on the sanctuary of my devotion. And may I be able to awaken Thy love in all hearts.
The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you.
Maybe I didn't treat you Quite as good as I should have Maybe I didn't love you Quite as often as I could have Little things I should have said and done I just never took the time You were always on my mind You were always on my mind
A disciple having asked for a definition of charity, the Master said LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Love is an energy which exists of itself. It is its own value.
When your hands leap towards mine, love, what do they bring me in flight?
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