Quotessence
Home / Topics / Despair Quotes

Despair Quotes

Browse 3424 quotes about Despair.

Related topics

IfsMenWorldPeopleKnowsWayMayHeartGivingThinkingFeelsHumansJoyMomentsNeedsSoulSufferingSelfWantPainBelieveLongLooksDarknessEndsHopeStillsDoeHas BeensLightTryingMindPersonsChildrenMeanShouldSorrowReasonSeemsSometimesSpiritLittlesDoubtFacesFeelingsMatterDepthDiesKindLostWellsFirstsInspirationalPovertyWarWritingDarkDesireEvilGriefMadeMiseryFallI CanLastsChristHope And DespairHopelessnessLifeTurnsActionDreamLyingSadnessSaidSinYearsChoicesGraceHandsHelpingNightYoungArtFactsFeltFormHeavenLoveOrderPleasureRealityAgeBlackEnoughLiteratureProblemRealSidesWholemore

Despair Quotes

“I believe that it may happen that one will succeed, and one must not begin to despair, even though defeated here and there; and even though one sometimes feels a kind of decay, though things go differently from the expected, it is necessary to take heart again and new courage. For the great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. And great things are not something accidental, but must certainly be willed. What is drawing? How does one learn it? It is working through an invisible iron wall that seems to stand between what one feels and what one can do.”

FeelsBelieveHeartKindMayDoeSometimesDoneSeemsHappensTogetherI BelieveCan DoWallSucceedDespairSeriesExpectedDrawingInvisibleGreat ThingsImpulseIronDecayDefeatedSmall ThingsHere And There
Author:Vincent Van Gogh
Create image

“If happiness is a state of the inward life, we have to look for its chief obstructions not in outward conditions but in deeper places. Happiness depends in the last issue, as we saw, on the essential view of life. It is not a matter of distractions, nor even of mere pleasurable sensations. There may be an appearance of great prosperity with incurable sadness hidden at the heart, as there is an outward peace which is only a well-masked despair. The way to happiness is indeed harder than the way to success; for its chief enemies entrench themselves within the soul.”

IfsWayWellsLooksHeartMaySoulMatterStatesLastsHappinessViewsEnemyIssuesSawsSadnessConditionsDependsEssentialsDespairHarderMereProsperityAppearanceDeeperChiefsSensationsDistractionInwardObstructionWay To Success
Book:Happiness
Create image

“At times it may seem worse - harder, at least - to live through the despair of this loss without the temporary comfort of our addictive behaviour. We cannot drown our sorrows. We must face the fact that we don’t know, really, where we are, how we got here, how long the pain will last, or how to move past it. That uncertainty may be the most painful part of not knowing a God: no one is there to reassure us that a God will take the pain and confusion away. We simply don’t know. And we have no way to numb ourselves or to forget the condition we’re in.”

KnowsWayMayLongFactsSeemsPainLastsPastFacesMovingLossForgetKnowingConditionsSorrowComfortDespairHarderPainfulGods WillConfusionUncertaintyTemporaryNot KnowingBehaviourNumbHis Loss
Author:Marya Hornbacher
Create image

“The anchor of meaning resides in an abyss, deeper than the reach of despair. Yet the abyss is not not infinite; its bottom may suddenly be discovered within the confines of a human heart or under the debris of might doubts. This may be the vocation of man: to say "Amen" to being and to the Author of being; to live in defiance of absurdity, notwithstanding futility and defeat; to attain faith in God even in spite of God.”

MenHumansHeartMayMightDoubtDespairInfiniteBottomDefeatDeeperSpiteFaith In GodAbsurdityHuman HeartAbyssVocationAnchorsDefianceFutilityAmenDebris
Book:Who is Man?
Create image

“God indeed tempteth no man; but yet we ask, in this petition, that he would keep and preserve us, lest the devil, the world, and our own flesh delude and draw us away from the true faith, and throw us into superstition, distrust, despair, and other grievous sins and wickedness; and that, if we should be tempted therewith even to the highest degree, we still may conquer, and at last triumph over them.”

IfsMenWorldShouldMayStillsLastsAsksSinDespairDegreesHighestDrawsDevilFleshConquerTriumphPreservesSuperstitionsDistrustTemptedWickednessPetitionsTrue Faith
Book:Martin Luther's Table Talk
Create image

“Scientific discovery is a private event, and the delight that accompanies it, or the despair of finding it illusory, does not travel. One scientist may get great satisfaction from another's work and admire it deeply; it may give him great intellectual pleasure; but it gives him no sense of participation in the discovery, it does not carry him away, and his appreciation of it does not depend on his being carried away. If it were otherwise the inspirational origin of scientific discovery would never have been in doubt.”

IfsGivingMayDoeHas BeensPleasureDoubtEventsDependsDespairFindingsIntellectualDiscoveryScientistSatisfactionDelightAppreciationAdmireParticipationAccompanyIllusoryCarried AwayScientific Discovery
Book:The Strange Case of the Spotted Mice and Other Classic Essays on Science
Create image

“There is yet a silent agony in which the mind appears to disdain all external help, and broods over its distresses with gloomy reserve. This is the most dangerous state of mind; accidents or friendships may lessen the louder kinds of grief, but all remedies for this must be had from within, and there despair too often finds the most deadly enemy.”

MindKindMayStatesHelpingGriefEnemyDangerousDespairSilentAccidentsOver ItState Of MindRemedyAgonyReservesDistressGloomyDisdain
Book:The Works of Oliver Goldsmith
Create image

“So use prosperity, that adversity may not abuse thee: if in the one, security admits no fears, in the other, despair will afford no hopes; he that in prosperity can foretell a danger can in adversity foresee deliverance.”

IfsMayUseSecurityDangerDespairAbuseAdversityProsperityTheeNo FearNo HopeDeliverance
Book:Enchiridion Institutions, Essays and Maxims, political, moral & divine. Divided into four centuries. By Francis Quarles
Create image

“Do not despair! Work steadily. Sincerity and love will conquer hate. How many seemingly impossible events are coming to pass in these days! Set your faces steadily towards the Light of the World. Show love to all... Take courage! God never forsakes His children who strive and work and pray! Let your hearts be filled with the strenuous desire that tranquillity and harmony may encircle all this warring world. So will success crown your efforts, and with the universal brotherhood will come the Kingdom of God in peace and goodwill.”

WorldHeartMayChildrenShowsLightFacesDesireHateEffortImpossibleEventsPrayingDespairAnd LoveUniversalHarmonyFilledStriveKingdomsConquerThese DaysYour FaceSincerityBrotherhoodCrownsKingdom Of GodGoodwillForsakeTranquillityLight Of The World
Author:Abdu'l-Bahá
Create image

“Civilization is perhaps approaching one of those long winters that overtake it from time to time. Romantic Christendom - picturesque, passionate, unhappy episode - may be coming to an end. Such a catastrophe would be no reason for despair.”

MayLongEndsReasonWould BeAtheismCivilizationDespairWinterPassionatePositive AtheismUnhappyNo ReasonEpisodesCatastropheChristendomPicturesqueComing To An End
Book:The Works of George Santayana: Character and opinion in the United States. The genteel tradition at bay. Dewey's naturalistic metaphysics. Philosophical heresy
Create image

“Parents offer an open womb. More than anyone else in your life, mothers, and sometimes fathers, can kiss it, and make it well whentheir grown children need to regress and repair. More than anyone else in your life, mothers, and sometimes fathers, can catch you when you start to fall. When you are in disgrace, defeat, and despair, home may be the safest place to hide.”

NeedsWellsMayChildrenSometimesHomeMotherFallFatherParentOffersKissingDespairDefeatWombDisgraceGrown Children
Author:Frank Pittman
Create image

“This is the first time in history that a war has involved the whole world, and also it may last many years more; this thought is soul-shattering for all of us as human beings. It is horrible to think that the crimes committed by this one man Hitler have these many years been destroying the lives of hundreds of thousands and millions, and one would despair entirely were it not certain that the majority, the innumerable majority which opposes him openly or secretly, will succeed in wiping out once and for all him and his.”

ThinkingMenWorldLifeYearsFirstsHumansMayWarSoulWholeLastsCertainHumanityHuman BeingsMillionsCrimeInvolvedSucceedDespairFirst TimeMajorityCommittedWhole WorldHorribleOne ManDestroyingShatteringWiping Out
Book:Stefan and Friderike Zweig: their correspondence, 1912-1942
Create image

“When such men, who are beyond hope and fear, begin in their dim minds to see the source their woes, it may be an evil time for those who have wronged them. The weak man becomes strong when he has nothing, for then only can he feel the wild, mad thrill of despair.”

MenFeelsMindMayEvilStrongSourceDespairWeakMadThrillWoeWrongedHopes And FearsWeak Man
Book:Collected Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Delphi Classics)
Create image

“After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again. Very often what God first helps us toward is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again. For however important chastity (or courage, or truthfulness, or any other virtue) may be, this process trains us in habits of the soul which are more important still. It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God. We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and, on the other, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven.”

NeedsTryingFirstsMayStillsImportantSoulMomentsHelpingHandsAsksProcessTeachVirtueWorstDependsHabitDespairIllusionPicksTrainCuresForgivenAlways TryingTry AgainTruthfulnessChastityAsking For ForgivenessBest MomentsGod FirstPick Yourself Up
Author:C. S. Lewis
Create image

“For, besides, that many persons find too sensible an interest in perpetually recalling such topics; besides this, I say, the motive of blind despair can never reasonably have place in the sciences; since, however unsuccessful former attempts may have proved, there is still room to hope, that the industry, good fortune, or improved sagacity of succeeding generations may reach discoveries unknown to former ages.”

MayPersonsStillsAgeInterestRoomsGenerationsIndustrySucceedDespairDiscoveryBlindFortuneFormerMotiveSensibleTopicsGood FortuneUnsuccessfulSagacity
Book:An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
Create image

“The bleakness of what faces us is difficult to swallow. As long as we engage in happy platitudes and a false kind of vision of the possible, it may empower you over the short term, but it is eventually, because of the reality in front of us, going to lead to despair and cynicism and apathy. It's better to swallow hard the bitter pill of what we're up against.”

KindMayLongHardRealityFacesDifficultTermVisionFrontsDespairBitterEmpoweringApathyCynicismPillsShort TermPlatitudesBleakness
Author:Chris Hedges
Create image

“You are in the depths of despair because you locked in on something or someone that didn't belong to you. I've met many people who have lost everything, especially in these times. People who survive devastating loss have the ability to let go of what they were doing, how much they were earning, and what they feel they are entitled to right now. They may well return to their former status, but their immediate task is to assess their skills and show resilience moving forward.”

PeopleFeelsWellsMayShowsMovingLostLossAbilityReturnMetsRight NowSkillsLetting GoDespairTasksDepthResilienceMoving ForwardFormerLockedEntitledEarningLost EverythingDevastating Loss
Author:Caroline Myss
Create image

“When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”

WorldFeelsMayChildrenStillsLightLyingNightStarsGrowsWaitingSoundWaterNatureGriefGraceTaxesDespairBlindWoodsMy ChildrenWild ThingsForethoughtStill WatersHerons
Book:New Collected Poems
Create image

“...I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire...I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all of your breath trying to conquer it. Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools.”

MenGivingTryingMaySaidMomentsMightRememberDesireForgetFieldsFoolVictoryBattleDespairIllusionBreathsPhilosopherConquerFollyNow And ThenForget ItFuryMausoleum
Author:William Faulkner
Create image

“Only the man who has had to face despair is really convinced that he needs mercy. Those who do not want mercy never seek it. It is better to find God on the threshold of despair than to risk our lives in a complacency that has never felt the need of forgiveness. A life that is without problems may literally be more hopeless than one that always verges on despair.”

MenWantNeedsMayProblemWisdomFacesFeltOur LivesRiskDespairMercyConvincedHopelessComplacencyThresholdVerge
Book:No Man Is an Island
Create image

“Theirs is the banner in my hand. And I wish I had the power to tell them that the despair of their hearts was not to be final, and their night was not without hope. For the battle they lost can never be lost. For that which they died to save can never perish. Through all the darkness, through all the shame of which men are capable, the spirit of man will remain alive on this earth. It may sleep, but it will awaken. It may wear chains, but it will break through. And man will go on. Man, not men. ~Equality 7-2521 (as Prometheus), pgs 103-104”

MenHeartMayHandsEarthSpiritNightLostWishSleepBreakDarknessAliveGoes OnBattleDespairCapableDiedShameFinalsChainsBreak ThroughBannerWithout HopePrometheus
Book:Anthem
Create image

“There are moments that define a person's whole life. Moments in which everything they are and everything they may possibly become balance on a single decision. Life and death, hope and despair, victory and failure teeter precariously on the decision made at that moment. These are moments ungoverned by happenstance, untroubled by luck. These are the moments in which a person earns the right to live, or not.”

MayPersonsMadeWholeMomentsDecisionBalanceVictoryDespairLuckWhole LifeLife And DeathThat MomentHope And DespairDecisions MadeHappenstance
Book:Tales of the Rot & Ruin: Rot & Ruin; Dust & Decay; Dead & Gone, a Rot & Ruin story; Flesh & Bone
Create image

“Grace abounds in contemporary movies, books, novels, films and music. If God is not in the whirlwind, He may be in a Woody Allen film, or a Bruce Springsteen concert. Most people understand imagery and symbol better than doctrine and dogma. Images touch hearts and awaken imaginations. One theologian suggested that Springsteen's 'Tunnel of Love' album, in which he symbolically sings of sin, death, despair and redemption, is more important for Catholics than the Pope's last visit when he spoke of morality only in doctrinal propositions.”

PeopleIfsLoveHeartMayImportantBookAgeLastsFilmImaginationSinNovelGraceMoralityDespairCatholicAlbumsDoctrineContemporaryRedemptionSymbolsSpokesConcertsDogmaPopePropositionsTheologianImageryTunnelsWoodyWhirlwindSpringsteenFilm And MusicWoody Allen Film
Author:Brennan Manning
Create image