Quote by Gustave Flaubert

Oh, if I had been loved at the age of seventeen, what an idiot I would be today. Happiness is like smallpox: if you catch it too soon, it can completely ruin your constitution.

Oh, if I had been loved at the age of seventeen, what an idi

Summary

This quote suggests that receiving love and happiness at a young age can lead to ignorance and foolishness later in life. It compares happiness to smallpox, implying that if one experiences it too early, it can have negative long-term effects, much like catching an illness too soon can permanently damage one's health. The idea conveyed is that some experiences and hardships are necessary for personal growth and wisdom, and that early love or happiness can hinder that development.

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By Gustave Flaubert

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