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You never gain something but that you lose something.
Henry David Thoreau
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Every gain comes with a loss, highlighting the balance of life.

This quote by Henry David Thoreau emphasizes the idea that every positive change or achievement in life is often accompanied by a sacrifice or a loss. It serves as a reminder that in our pursuit of goals and desires, we must acknowledge the costs that may come along with our successes, prompting a deeper understanding of the nature of gain and loss in our lives.

Themes

GainLossBalanceChangeSacrifice

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about pursuing dreams and the sacrifices required.

More from Henry David Thoreau

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
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Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling and spending their lives like servants.
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An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
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Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
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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.
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That grand old poem called Winter
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