Frail to the point of invalidism, without family and with nothing to look forward to, she [Mlle Muguette] yet contrived to be happy. How strange a thing is happiness! Mlle Pimpalet, the notary's wife, arrogantly middle-class, well-furnished with the goods of this world, cared for and waited on, yet invariably looked as if she had been given rat poison for breakfast. While Muguette with nothing, almost on the parish, was radiant with carefree joyousness. Her courage almost made people want to kiss her. . Gabriel Chevallier
About This Quote

This quote is about two women who are extremely different in almost every way. The notary's wife is rich and privileged while Mlle Muguette is poor and had nothing to go on but her own personal strength. Yet, the notary's wife was miserable while Mlle Muguette was happy. She was always singing songs and laughing.

The notary's wife was never content because she always wanted something more. Even at her happiest, she was still missing something that made her whole.

Source: Clochemerle Babylon

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