Quote by Virginia Woolf

He turned from the sight of human ignorance and human fate and the sea eating the ground we stand on, which, had he been able to contemplate it fixedly might have led to something; and found consolation in trifles so slight compared with the august theme just now before him that he was disposed to slur that comfort over, to deprecate it, as if to be caught happy in a world of misery was for an honest man the most despicable of crimes.

He turned from the sight of human ignorance and human fate a

Summary

This quote reflects the protagonist's struggle to find solace in small pleasures amidst the harsh reality of human suffering and the impermanence of existence. Despite being confronted with the bleakness of human ignorance and the unstoppable forces of nature, he resists fully embracing the comfort provided by trivial matters. He considers it morally wrong to find happiness amidst a world filled with misery, suggesting a sense of guilt or shame for seeking personal contentment. This quote encapsulates the conflict between finding fleeting joy in the face of overwhelming despair and maintaining moral integrity.

Topics

Happiness

By Virginia Woolf

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