Let us leave our old friend in one of those moments of unmixed happiness, of which, if we seek them, there are ever some, to cheer our transitory existence here. There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast. Some men, like bats or owls, have better eyes for the darkness than for the light. We, who have no such optical powers, are better pleased to take our last parting look at the visionary companions of many solitary hours, when the brief sunshine of the world is blazing full upon them.
—Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers
This is a bit rich coming from Dickens, whose stock in trade consisted mainly of miserable orphans, incarcerated debtors, crooked lawyers, and criminals of all kinds, but it’s a good thought nonetheless.
