He is wise who at last sees in suffering only the light that it sheds on his soul; and whose eyes never rest on the shadow it casts upon those who have sent it towards him. And wiser still is the man to whom sorrow and joy not only bring increase of consciousness, but also the knowledge that something exists superior to consciousness even. To have reached this point is to reach the summit of inward life, whence at last we look down on the flames whose light has helped our ascent. Maurice Maeterlinck
About This Quote

The idea that pain and suffering is part of life and that we must learn from it and grow from it is a recurring theme in the works of Soren Kierkegaard. A man who was tortured and beaten by his father, or a man who has been betrayed by a loved one, recognize the wisdom in the experience of suffering and accept it as an opportunity to feel compassion towards others. Many people do not understand this point, and they see suffering as something that is cloaked in darkness. They think that if they wish for something that will bring them joy, then the pain will go away.

Source: Wisdom And Destiny

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