Quote by Maria Dąbrowska: “Life does not consist merely of living, but of being well.”

Dąbrowska elevates the concept of existence beyond simple survival, suggesting that a truly fulfilling life involves more than just breathing. It implies a qualitative dimension—striving for well-being, purpose, and a sense of completeness, actively pursuing a good life.

This theme runs through *Noce i dnie*, where characters seek meaning and fulfillment beyond material struggles. It reflects a deeper concern for personal integrity and flourishing in early 20th-century Polish literature, amidst rapid social and political changes.

Polish novelist whose four-volume work Nights and Days is considered one of the greatest achievements of twentieth-century Polish prose. Her writing chronicled the lives of the Polish intelligentsia and landed gentry across decades of upheaval, from the late nineteenth century through the Second World War. She was a committed humanist and social activist throughout her long career.