Pride is founded not on the sense of happiness, but on the sense of power.
William HazlittRead
It is well there is no one without fault; for he would not have a friend in the world. He would seem to belong to s different species.
Interpretation
Everyone has faults, and it's our imperfections that allow us to connect with others.
William Hazlittβs quote highlights the universality of human flaws, suggesting that without these imperfections, one would feel isolated and unable to form genuine friendships. It underscores the idea that our shared vulnerabilities and shortcomings form the basis of authentic human connections, reminding us that it is our faults that make us relatable and human.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of empathy, one could use this quote to emphasize that everyone has flaws.
Pride is founded not on the sense of happiness, but on the sense of power.
The world loves to be amused by hollow professions, to be deceived by flattering appearances, to live in a state of hallucination; and can forgive everything but the plain, downright, simple, honest truth.
Our repugnance to death increases in proportion to our consciousness of having lived in vain.
We can bear to be deprived of everything but our self-conceit.
There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the esteem we profess to entertain for our firends. It is little better than a piece of quackery. The truth is, we think of them as we please, that is, as they please or displease us.
Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater. Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it.
I never meant to write about the experience of losing a good friend to breast cancer when I was going through it. But after it was over, I realized that although something deeply sad had happened, something truly beautiful also had.
Nothing is there more friendly to a man than a friend in need.
Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.
...he will be our friend for always and always and always.
Friend of my bosom, thou more than a brother, Why wert thou not born in my father's dwelling?
Of all the things which wisdom provides to make us entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friendship.
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