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About this quote

What does it mean?
Pain is intense but temporary; suffering rarely lasts forever.
In plain terms
Even the worst pain ends eventually.
What can you take from it?
Endurance is possible because pain has limits.

Where it applies

  • illness
  • grief
  • crisis

Putting it to work

  • coping strategies
  • empathy
  • support

Questions to consider

  • How do you endure hard times?
  • What helps you wait out pain?

Another view

Chronic pain can feel endless and invalidates this optimism.

More from William Cullen Bryant

  1. No trumpet-blast profound the hour in which the Prince of Peace was born; No bloody streamlet stained Earth's silver rivers on the sacred morn.

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  2. Poetry is that art which selects and arranges the symbols of thought in such a manner as to excite the imagination the most powerfully and delightfully.

    Permalink to quote #45
  3. Modest and shy as a nun is she; One weak chirp is her only note; Braggarts and prince of braggarts is he, Pouring boasts from his little throat.

    Permalink to quote #42

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