"Suffering becomes beautiful when anyone bears great calamities with cheerfulness, not through insensibility but through greatness of mind"
- Aristotle
About this Quote
This quote by Aristotle speaks to the concept that suffering can be viewed as lovely when somebody has the ability to bear fantastic disasters with cheerfulness. This is not to be puzzled with insensibility, which is an absence of sensation or emotion, however rather achievement of mind. This implies that the person is able to remain strong and favorable in the face of adversity, and has the ability to discover charm in the suffering. This is a difficult task, as it needs a lot of strength and guts to stay pleasant in the face of great suffering. Nevertheless, it is possible to discover charm in the midst of suffering, and this is what Aristotle is recommending. He is recommending that when somebody is able to remain strong and positive in the face of fantastic suffering, it can be viewed as a stunning thing. This is a powerful message, and one that can be applied to several circumstances.
"To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization"
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"