We're never as happy or as unhappy as we imagine.
La Rochefoucauld, Maxims 49
On n'est jamais si heureux ni si malheureux qu'on s'imagine.
We're never as happy or as unhappy as we imagine.
La Rochefoucauld, Maxims 49
What it means
Imagination exaggerates in both directions. The highs are lower and the lows are higher than they feel in the moment. Wait before you judge how good or bad it really is.
The source
"We're never as happy or as unhappy as we imagine." La Rochefoucauld said it in Maxims 49. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.
"On n'est jamais si heureux ni si malheureux qu'on s'imagine."Original French, Maxims 49. Text read at gutenberg.org.
Who said it
La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680). French duke and soldier who turned his disappointment with court life into some five hundred razor-sharp maxims about self-love.
Questions
- What does "We're never as happy or as unhappy as we imagine." mean?
- Imagination exaggerates in both directions. The highs are lower and the lows are higher than they feel in the moment. Wait before you judge how good or bad it really is.
- Who said "We're never as happy or as unhappy as we imagine."?
- La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680). Source: Maxims 49.
- What is the original French?
- On n'est jamais si heureux ni si malheureux qu'on s'imagine. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.
- Is "We're never as happy or as unhappy as we imagine." on a shirt?
- Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.
Cite this line
"We're never as happy or as unhappy as we imagine." (La Rochefoucauld, Maxims 49, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/were-never-as-happy-or-as-unhappy-as
Filed under Quotes about calm.
Wear it your way
The same line in every look it fits. Each one is printed to order on heavy cotton, same price.
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Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 8.48
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Everything has two handles. Grab the one you can carry.
Epictetus, Enchiridion 43
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Know yourself.
Delphic maxim, Delphic inscription (Plato, Protagoras 343b)
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More from La Rochefoucauld
- We all have strength enough to bear other people's troubles.Maxims 19
- You can't stare at the sun, or at death.Maxims 26
- Everyone complains of their memory. No one of their judgment.Maxims 89
- Hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue.Maxims 218
- Absence kills small passions and feeds great ones, like wind on candles and fire.Maxims 276
- True courage is doing unseen what you'd do in front of everyone.Maxims 216