Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Even from a source of joy, something bitter can arise that causes pain among the pleasures themselves.
In plain terms
Pain can come from happiness, not just suffering.
What can you take from it?
Expect mixed outcomes even in good times.

Where it applies

  • celebrations
  • success
  • relationships

Putting it to work

  • prepare for ups and downs
  • stay grounded in success
  • accept imperfection

Questions to consider

  • Have you found pain in a happy moment?
  • Do you expect perfection from good things?

Another view

Sometimes happiness is pure without hidden bitterness.

More from Lucretius

  1. Ut quod ali cibus est aliis fuat acre venenum.

    Permalink to quote #20
  2. Quod siquis vera vitam ratione gubernet, divitiae grandes homini sunt vivere parvo aequo animo; neque enim est umquam penuria parvi.

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. Nec prorsum vitam ducendo demimus hilum tempore de mortis nec delibare valemus.

    Permalink to quote #19

Related quotes

  1. Human life is everywhere a state in which much is to be endured and little to be enjoyed.

    Samuel JohnsonSamuel Johnson quote #80
  2. Only a fool would refuse to enter a fool's paradise-when that's the only paradise he'll ever have a chance to enter.

    Jessamyn WestJessamyn West quote #1
  3. These purblind Doomsters had as readily strown Blisses about my pilgrimage as pain.

    Thomas HardyThomas Hardy quote #1