Original artwork, not a still
Edward George Earl Bulwer-Lytton
There are times when the mirth of others only saddens us, especially the mirth of children with high spirits, that jar on our own quiet mood.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The speaker notes that other people's cheerfulness can deepen sadness rather than lift it, particularly the loud high spirits of children when one's own mood is quiet. Their joy grates against inner stillness, making the contrast feel painful. It is a gentle, candid observation about melancholy.
Context reviewed
