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About this quote

What does it mean?
Suffering comes not from current circumstances but from lost potential or origin. The pain of knowing what could have been is greater than current misery.
In plain terms
Losing what you had or could be hurts more than where you are now.
What can you take from it?
Regret over loss outweighs current state.

Where it applies

  • dealing with failure
  • reflecting on past choices

Putting it to work

  • accept loss
  • focus on present

Questions to consider

  • What hurts more: loss or current pain?
  • Can you find hope after falling?

Another view

It ignores immediate physical suffering.

More from Pedro Calderon de la Barca

  1. One may know how to gain a victory, and know not how to use it.

    Permalink to quote #9
  2. What law, what reason can deny that gift so sweet, so natural that God has given a stream, a fish, a beast, a bird?

    Permalink to quote #11
  3. Love that is not madness is not love.

    Permalink to quote #8

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