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It is a time when one’s spirit is subdued and sad, one knows not why; when the past seems a storm-swept desolation, life a vanity and a burden, and the future but a way to death. It is a time when one is filled with vague longings; when one dreams of flight to peaceful islands in the remote solitudes of the sea, or folds his hands and says, What is the use of struggling, and toiling and worrying any more? let us give it all up.
Mark Twain
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects a deep sense of melancholy and existential questioning about life and its struggles.

Mark Twain captures the essence of human despair and the feelings that accompany moments of profound sadness. He highlights a state of mind where one feels overwhelmed by life's challenges, leading to a longing for escape and introspection about the purpose of struggle. This sentiment resonates with anyone who has faced difficult times, expressing a universal battle with feelings of futility and the search for solace.

Themes

SadnessStruggleExistentialismReflectionDespair

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about overcoming adversity, you could use this quote to illustrate the common feeling of being overwhelmed by life's challenges.

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