This quote suggests that most human suffering cannot be eliminated at its root cause, but can only be soothed or lessened. In other words, it’s not always possible to completely eradicate the source of our problems, but we can take steps to mitigate their impact on our lives. This idea is both realistic and pragmatic as it recognizes the inherent challenges of life while also encouraging us to deal with them in a constructive way.
In terms of palliative care in medicine, this means focusing on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, rather than trying to cure an incurable disease. Similarly, Johnson is suggesting that we should focus on managing and alleviating our problems rather than striving for an unattainable perfect solution.
Applying this idea in today’s world or personal development could mean acknowledging that some issues are too complex or deeply-rooted to be completely solved. For example, global issues like poverty or climate change may not have a single ‘cure’, but there are many ways we can lessen their effects and improve the situation incrementally.
On a personal level, someone might struggle with chronic anxiety which doesn’t have a clear-cut cure. Rather than getting frustrated about not being able to totally eradicate their anxiety (the radical solution), they might find more success in managing it through techniques like mindfulness meditation or cognitive-behavioral therapy (the palliative approach).
The quote encourages acceptance of life’s imperfections and focuses on making things better where possible instead of chasing after an idealized perfection which may lead only to disappointment and frustration. It promotes resilience by urging us to work around obstacles instead of expecting them to vanish entirely.
