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We combat obstacles in order to get repose, and when got, the repose is insupportable.
Henry Adams
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Interpretation

What this quote means

We strive to overcome challenges for peace, yet once we achieve it, we may find it difficult to endure.

This quote reflects on the irony of human nature where we work hard to overcome obstacles in life to achieve a state of rest or peace. However, once we reach that peaceful state, we often find it brings its own set of struggles, leading to the realization that continuous striving may be preferable to the discomfort of inactivity.

Themes

ObstaclesReposeStrugglePeaceIronies

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about perseverance, one could use this quote to illustrate the challenges of achieving personal peace.

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Quote by Henry Adams | QuoteProject