Who is given credit for the quote, "Living well is the best revenge"?
The individual who is given credit for the quote, "Living well is the best revenge" is George Herbert, a Welsh-born poet, orator, and priest of the Church of England. The quote by Herbert suggests that one should persevere to achieve success and enjoyment. In 1640 the quote appeared in London in Herbert’s compilation titled “Outlandish Proverbs”.
Historians and others tell us that by reading Herbert’s writing, his above quote had something special in mind. ‘Living well’ to him meant being moral and pious, doing the right thing and striving for goodness to the best of our ability. This may sound a little grim, but he’s right that by not descending to the level of our oppressors, by showing superior control and judgement and demonstrating some moral superiority, we can be a living reproach to those whose bad character has led them to do us wrong. Not by showing off any moral superiority, but by giving ourselves true peace of mind.
George Herbert was born in April 1593 in Montgomery, Powys, Wales. He died at the age of 39 on March 1, 1633 in Bemerton, Wiltshire, England. He is best known as an English religious poet and a major metaphysical poet. He was notable for the purity and effectiveness of his choice of words when trying to reach appropriate audiences with his writings.
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