There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse! As I have often found in travelling in a stagecoach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position, and be bruised in a new place.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Change can provide psychological relief even if the new situation is objectively worse, simply because it breaks the monotony of the current state.
- In plain terms
- Moving to a new place or situation feels better than staying stuck, even if the change isn't an improvement.
- What can you take from it?
- Shifting your position can offer comfort regardless of the outcome.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When has a bad change felt like a relief?
- Why does novelty feel comfortable?
Another view
Some changes can cause significant harm without offering relief.
More from Washington Irving
I am always at a loss to know how much to believe of my own stories.
Permalink to quote #2 The almighty dollar, that great object of universal devotion throughout our land, seems to have no genuine devotees in these peculiar villages; and unless some…
Permalink to quote #4 Whenever a man's friends begin to compliment him about looking young, he may be sure that they think he is growing old.
Permalink to quote #1
Related quotes
Nature is less partial than she appears, and all situations in life have their compensations along with them.
James Anthony FroudeJames Anthony Froude quote #4 Gray skies are just clouds passing over.
Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington quote #12 When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.
Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell quote #26