It is seldom that we find either men or places such as we expect them. ... Yet it is necessary to hope, though hope should always be deluded, for hope itself is happiness, and its frustrations, however frequent, are yet less dreadful than its extinction.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People and places rarely match our expectations, but hope remains essential for happiness despite often being disappointed.
- In plain terms
- Expectations often fail, yet hoping is still necessary for happiness even if it leads to disappointment.
- What can you take from it?
- Keep hoping even when it feels futile, because the act of hoping brings happiness.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is hope valuable even when it fails?
- How do you handle repeated disappointments?
Another view
Hope can sometimes lead to dangerous delusions rather than genuine happiness.
More from Samuel Johnson
Merriment is always the effect of a sudden impression. The jest which is expected is already destroyed.
Permalink to quote #75 We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know, because they have never deceived us.
Permalink to quote #77 Pleasure is very seldom found where it is sought. Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks. The flowers which scatter their o…
Permalink to quote #74
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