Saying: Tears cleanse the heart
Info
- Title: Tears cleanse the heart
- Type: Sayings
- Category: { Grief and Comfort }
- Print: Download as PDF for printing
Tears cleanse the heart. This well-known quote comes from the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky and vividly describes the purifying effect of emotional sorrow. Symbolically, it illustrates how tears can clarify and relieve inner emotional burdens.
Origin and Usage of the Saying
The quote is clearly attributed to the author Fyodor Dostoevsky. The exact original wording in German is Tears cleanse the heart. Dostoevsky (1821–1881) was a significant Russian novelist and short-story writer. This quote frequently appears in literary anthologies, funeral speeches, memorials, and journalistic pieces.
Meaning and Interpretation of the Saying
The quote conveys a central message: tears serve as a means of emotional cleansing, allowing burdens of sorrow to be released. This imagery strongly resonates emotionally.
It emphasizes that sorrow not only brings pain but also enables a cathartic process. Achieving inner clarity through crying connects emotional experience with psychological healing.
This formulation touches upon a universal human experience: loss or grief can create significant emotional and physical stress. Tears symbolically relieve and liberate the soul from these burdens.
Furthermore, the quote reflects on the importance of emotional expression: expressing feelings through tears is portrayed as necessary and cleansing. Thus, sorrow is portrayed as a legitimate and healing part of human life.