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About this quote

What does it mean?
Love is the prettiest theft society has done to nature, but motherhood is nature's joy; a smile dries my tears.
In plain terms
Love feels like a gentle robbery from nature, yet motherhood is natural joy; a smile comforts sorrow.
What can you take from it?
Find comfort in simple joys amid complex emotions.

Where it applies

  • parenting
  • grief counseling

Putting it to work

  • cherish moments
  • share smiles

Questions to consider

  • How does love differ from parental love?
  • Can a smile truly alleviate deep grief?

Another view

Not everyone experiences motherhood as joy.

More from Honore de Balzac

  1. Il y a deux amours: celui qui commande et celui qui obeit; ils sont distincts et donnent naissance a deux passions, et l'une n'est pas l'autre.

    Permalink to quote #93
  2. Le hasard, ma chere, est le dieu de la maternite.

    Permalink to quote #95
  3. La vertu, mignonne, est un principe dont les manifestations different selon les milieux: la vertu de Provence, celle de Constantinople, celle de Londres et cel…

    Permalink to quote #92

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