What would there be in a story of happiness? Only what prepares it, only what destroys it can be told.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Stories of happiness only work if they show what builds or breaks it, not the state itself.
- In plain terms
- Tell about struggles leading to happiness or losing it, not just happy moments.
- What can you take from it?
- Narratives need conflict or change to be engaging.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What story about happiness feels flat?
- What challenge made you happy?
Another view
Peaceful moments can be meaningful in art too.
More from Andre Gide
Welcome anything that comes to you, but do not long for anything else.
Permalink to quote #49 Work and struggle and never accept an evil that you can change.
Permalink to quote #51 To what a degree the same past can leave different marks- and especially admit of different interpretations.
Permalink to quote #48
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