Hope
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- For other uses, see Hope (disambiguation).
Hope is a desire for something to happen, while expecting or being confident that it will come true. Hope also implies a certain amount of perseverence, believing that something is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary. Hope may be directed toward something minor or towards something extremely significant. "False hope" is hoping for something that is extremely unlikely or unrealisic.
Examples include:
- hoping to catch a train
- hoping to get some object, or a job, or to get rich
- being in love and hoping that this is reciprocal
- hoping for somebody to be cured of a disease
- hoping for happiness
- hoping for a blessing from God
- hoping for the ability to fly (a false hope)
The absence of hope is despair. In some religions, despair is considered to be a sin.
Hope was personified in Greek mythology. When Pandora opened Pandora's Box, she let out all the evils except one-- Hope. Apparently the Greeks considered Hope to be as dangerous as all the world's evils. But without hope to accompany all their troubles, humanity was filled with despair. It was a great relief when Pandora revisited her box and let out hope as well.
Quote
- "Faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love"
- Saint Paul First Corinthians 13:13
- "Hope is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul—"
See also
External links
- Dictionary definitions (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Hope) of Hope.