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I am not sure that it is of the first importance that you should be happy. Many an unhappy man has been of deep service to himself and to the world.
Woodrow Wilson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Happiness is not the only measure of a person's value; even unhappy individuals can contribute significantly.

This quote suggests that the pursuit of happiness should not overshadow the importance of one's contributions to oneself and society. It emphasizes that even those who may struggle with personal happiness can have a profound impact and serve meaningful roles, highlighting the complexity of human experience and value beyond superficial joy.

Themes

HappinessServiceValueContributionUnhappiness

In practice

Example use cases

A keynote speaker could use this quote to inspire an audience at a personal development seminar.

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Once lead this people into war, and they'll forget there ever was such a thing as tolerance. To fight, you must be brutal and ruthless, and the spirit of ruthless brutality will enter into the very fiber of our national life, infecting Congress, the courts, the policeman on the beat, the man in the street.
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