Being contented ought to mean in English, as it does in French, being pleased. Being content with an attic ought not to mean being unable to move from it and resigned to living in it; it ought to mean appreciating all there is in such a position.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the difference in interpretation between the English and French meanings of "being contented." In French, being contented is understood as being pleased or satisfied. However, in English, it often implies a passive acceptance of one's current situation without the desire for improvement. The quote argues that being content with limited circumstances should not equate to being stuck and resigned to it. Instead, it suggests that true contentment lies in appreciating and making the most of the opportunities and positives that exist within any given situation.

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