“I am in that temper that if I were under water I would scarcely kick to come to the top”

Simplified Meaning:

This phrase is describing a state of mind where a person feels so overwhelmed, tired, or hopeless that they wouldn't even try to save themselves if they were in danger. Imagine a person swimming in a pool who feels so exhausted and downhearted that if they suddenly found themselves sinking, they wouldn't have the energy or willpower to kick and swim back up. It is like when people face very tough times in life, such as losing a job, ending a relationship, or dealing with illness, and they feel so defeated that they can't find the strength to carry on or fight back. For example, someone who has been looking for a job for a very long time and keeps getting rejected might reach a point where they feel so discouraged that they don't even want to apply for new positions anymore. This is similar to the feeling described in the quote. To overcome this, it can help to take small steps, seek support from friends or family, and remind oneself that even small efforts can gradually lead to improvement. By taking one little step at a time, like applying for just one new job each day, a person can start to regain their motivation and strength to keep going.