Five Heartfelt Saddened Quotes to Touch Your Soul

"When questioned whether the Blessed will not be saddened by seeing their nearest and dearest tortured answers, 'Not in the least.'"

Martin Luther, known for his pivotal role in the Protestant Reformation, was a German professor of theology, composer, and priest. The quote in question is derived from his book 'The Bondage of the Will,' demonstrating his theological beliefs about the afterlife. Luther expressed that the morally perfect beings, known as 'The Blessed,' supposedly show no signs of sorrow when they witness their loved ones suffer eternal consequences in hell. This concept expresses the idea that moral rectitude and God's will purify all emotional bonds, making it impossible for the Blessed to feel sorrow. Luther's stern interpretation of divine justice ensures the Blessed's eternal happiness won't be affected by others' torment. Achieving this level of divine perspective is, according to Luther, the key to maintaining the ultimate state of bliss in heaven.

"I am rather saddened at the end of a book. I think most writers find this. It's like a friend departing on a voyage."

Margaret Atwood, is a renowned Canadian author known for her prowess in the field of literature. Her extensive works include various genres such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and even graphic novels. This quote is from her fictional book 'Hag-Seed' which is a modern reinterpretation of Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest'. The quote depicts the melancholic feeling authors experience once they finish writing a book. Each book is like a friend that they have nurtured and spent countless hours forging a bond with, so when the book is completed and is set to reach the readers, it is akin to a dear friend departing on a voyage. For Atwood, and many authors, the writing journey is personal and emotional, making the end an emotional process tinged with sadness.

"One cannot be deeply responsive to the world without being saddened very often."

Erich Fromm, a renowned social psychologist, psychoanalyst, and humanistic philosopher of the 20th century, is known for his theories on character, personality, and human nature. This particular quote is from his book 'The Sane Society'. In essence, Fromm's quote elucidates the concept of empathy and its role in human connection. He implies that, in order to truly engage with the world and its inhabitants, one must be capable of experiencing deep emotional reactions, including sadness. It further indicates that a person who is profoundly affected by their surroundings is a person who cares deeply and is deeply invested in their world. Being saddened 'very often' is evidence of compassion and high sensitivity to the emotions and experiences of others, which, according to Fromm, is integral to authentic life. Nonetheless, his views are subjective and may not resonate with everyone's experiences.

"All through the night, men looked at the sky and were saddened by the stars."

Joseph Heller, an American satirical novelist, short story writer, and playwright, is well-known for his novel 'Catch-22', a darkly humorous critique of the military bureaucracy of the 20th century. The novel houses the quote, where men's sadness on observing the stars reveals a poignant commentary on human despair in the face of the seemingly unchangeable universe. Heller, through this quote, expresses the introspective contemplation of monotonous existence and the inevitable passage of time, which provides a significant emotional impact on the characters, and the reader. This underscores Heller's talent for combining biting satire with deep philosophical inquiries into the human condition and the nature of existence.

"And those whom once my song had cheered and gladdened, If still they live, rove through the world now saddened."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, renowned as a literary figure of the highest order, was a German novelist, dramatist, poet, humanist, scientist, philosopher, and for ten years chief minister of a state. This quote is extracted from one of his most famous work, 'Faust', a two-part dramatic work. The quote signifies a sense of sorrow and loss, indicating that those who used to be happy and cheered by life (as referenced by 'his song'), are now wandering the world in sadness. This could mirror Goethe's own feelings of the changing world around him and his longing for former times. By this, Goethe encapsulates the melancholy and the transient nature of happiness adding a poignant touch to the vagaries of existence. His quote resonates deeply with readers, underscoring the transient nature of joy and the inevitability of sorrow.