When a small child, I thought that success spelled happiness. I was wrong, happiness is like a butterfly which appears and delights us for one brief moment, but soon flits away.
Meaning of the quote
When Anna Pavlova was young, she thought that being successful would make her happy. But she later realized that happiness is like a butterfly - it comes for a short time and then goes away. Happiness is not something that can be held onto forever, just like a butterfly can't be kept in your hand.
About Anna Pavlova
Anna Pavlovna Pavlova was a renowned Russian prima ballerina. She was a principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and the Ballets Russes, and she is most recognized for creating the role of The Dying Swan. Pavlova was also the first ballerina to tour the world with her own company, performing in South America, India, Mexico, and Australia.
More quotes from Anna Pavlova
God gives talent. Work transforms talent into genius.
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No one can arrive from being talented alone, work transforms talent into genius.
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Success depends in a very large measure upon individual initiative and exertion, and cannot be achieved except by a dint of hard work.
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When a small child, I thought that success spelled happiness. I was wrong, happiness is like a butterfly which appears and delights us for one brief moment, but soon flits away.
Russian ballet dancer