Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand.

Summary

This quote highlights the perception that true happiness often lacks the grandeur and excitement associated with challenges and hardships. Actual happiness may appear mundane when compared to the struggles and dramatic moments in life. The contentment and stability that accompany happiness do not hold the same allure as the battles against adversity, the allure of temptation, or the intense emotions of passion and doubt. Happiness, in its genuine form, is portrayed as a modest and unremarkable state, contrasting with the captivating and dramatic nature of adversity and conflict.

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