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The most important lesson that man can learn from his life is not that there is pain in this world, but that it depends upon him to turn it into good account, that it is possible for him to transmute it into joy... Man's freedom is never in being saved troubles, but it is the freedom to take trouble for his own good, to make the trouble an element in his joy... that in pain is symbolised the infinite possibility of perfection, the eternal unfolding of joy.

Rabindranath Tagore#135

FreedomGrowthHappinessResilienceSuffering

About this quote

What does it mean?
Freedom is choosing to turn pain into joy and using trouble for personal growth.
In plain terms
Freedom means turning pain into joy and using trouble to grow.
What can you take from it?
True freedom is transforming pain into joy.

Where it applies

  • mental health
  • self-improvement
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • reframing challenges
  • practicing resilience

Questions to consider

  • How do you handle pain?
  • What freedom do you seek?

Another view

It assumes everyone has the agency to transform their pain.

More from Rabindranath Tagore

  1. The meaning of our self is not to be found in its separateness from God and others, but in the ceaseless realisation of yoga, of union.

    Permalink to quote #134
  2. The mountain remains unmoved at seeming defeat by the mist.

    Permalink to quote #136
  3. The man whose acquaintance with the world does not lead him deeper than science leads him, will never understand what it is that the man with the spiritual vis…

    Permalink to quote #133

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