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About this quote

What does it mean?
True happiness comes from controlling one's desires and emotions, not from avoiding them.
In plain terms
Happiness is found in mastering your passions, not in avoiding them.
What can you take from it?
Master your desires to find real happiness.

Where it applies

  • personal struggle
  • self-improvement
  • emotional challenges

Putting it to work

  • practice self-discipline
  • manage impulses

Questions to consider

  • What passions rule you?
  • How do you find happiness?

Another view

It assumes people can always control their passions.

More from Alfred (Lord) Tennyson

  1. Friends, I am only merry for an hour or two Upon a birthday: if this life of ours Be a good glad thing, why should we make us merry Because a year of it is gon…

    Permalink to quote #176
  2. The news came to the village - the dire news which spread across the land, filling men's hearts with consternation - that Byron was dead. Tennyson was then abo…

    Permalink to quote #178
  3. For though from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.

    Permalink to quote #175

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