This quote suggests that both love and toothache have many purported cures, but none are guaranteed to work except possession and dispossession. In the context of love, possession refers to having someone’s love, while dispossession refers to letting go or moving on from a love that is unrequited or has ended. For a toothache, possession could mean having the proper medication or treatment, and dispossession could mean removing the tooth causing the pain.
The quote essentially highlights the complexity and unpredictability of both love and pain. Just as there is no surefire cure for a toothache, there is no guaranteed solution to the challenges and pains of love. The only infallible solutions are either to have what you desire or to let go of what is causing the pain.
In today’s world, this wisdom holds true in many aspects. For instance, in relationships, people often try different ways to make things work or to get someone to love them back. But ultimately, the only foolproof solutions are either to be loved back or to move on from the unreciprocated feelings.
In personal development, this quote can be interpreted as a call to action to either fully commit to your goals (possession) or let go of unrealistic or harmful aspirations (dispossession). Many times, we hold onto dreams or ambitions that are not in our best interest or are unattainable, causing us unnecessary pain and struggle. The quote encourages us to either fully possess our goals by dedicating the necessary time, effort, and resources, or to dispossess or let go of goals that are causing more harm than good.
