“Man’s real life is happy, chiefly because he is ever expecting that it soon will be so.”
- January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849
- American
- Novelist, poet, critic
- A pioneer of Gothic and detective novels, he wrote works such as “The Black Cat,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”
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Quote
“Man’s real life is happy, chiefly because he is ever expecting that it soon will be so.”
Explanation
In this quote, Edgar Allan Poe suggests that the happiness people experience in life is not necessarily because of the current circumstances, but because of the hope and anticipation that things will improve in the near future. The belief that happiness is just around the corner gives people the motivation to carry on and feel positive, even if their present situation isn’t ideal. Poe acknowledges the power of expectation—the idea that the human spirit is often buoyed by the hope of something better coming, whether it be success, love, or personal fulfillment. This future-oriented optimism plays a significant role in maintaining one’s sense of well-being.
Poe’s view on happiness touches upon the psychology of human nature and the ways in which people often find comfort in the idea that better times are ahead. This aligns with his broader themes of longing and unfulfilled desires that are often present in his works, where the pursuit of something unattainable or just out of reach becomes a central emotional driver. Poe also explores the idea that human satisfaction is sometimes more about the anticipation of joy than the joy itself, highlighting the transitory nature of happiness and how it is often tied to desire rather than actual possession or fulfillment.
In modern contexts, this quote reflects the human tendency to be future-focused, often finding motivation and happiness in the belief that things will improve. In today’s fast-paced world, many people are focused on future goals, such as career success, relationships, or personal growth, and this hope for the future can be a source of contentment, even in the face of present struggles. The idea that happiness is more about expectation than reality challenges us to consider how our perceptions of future possibilities can shape our current emotional state, and how hope often serves as a sustaining force in the face of life’s uncertainties.
