There is nothing so well known as that we should not expect something for nothing - but we all do and call it Hope

There is nothing so well known as that we should not expect something for nothing - but we all do and call it Hope

E.W. Howe, an American novelist and editor, was known for his sharp wit and keen observations on human nature. In his quote, “There is nothing so well known as that we should not expect something for nothing - but we all do and call it Hope,” Howe captures the essence of human behavior when it comes to expectations and hope.

It is a universal truth that nothing in life comes for free. Whether it be success, happiness, or fulfillment, we must put in the effort and work hard to achieve our goals. However, despite this knowledge, we often find ourselves hoping for things to magically fall into place without any effort on our part. This is what Howe refers to as expecting something for nothing.

Hope is a powerful emotion that drives us to keep going even in the face of adversity. It gives us the strength to persevere and believe that things will get better. However, hope can also be a double-edged sword when it leads us to believe that we can achieve our goals without putting in the necessary work.

In the context of E.W. Howe, who was known for his satirical writing and cynical view of human nature, this quote reflects his belief that people are often naive and unrealistic in their expectations. Howe understood that hope can be a dangerous thing when it blinds us to the reality of a situation.

Despite the harsh truth in Howe’s words, there is also a sense of empathy and understanding for the human condition. We all have moments of weakness where we cling to hope as a lifeline, even when logic tells us otherwise. It is this delicate balance between hope and reality that makes us human.