The quote reflects a nostalgic perspective on unhappiness, suggesting that past struggles held more significance and depth than contemporary feelings of dissatisfaction. The speaker acknowledges that in the past, unhappiness was something that could profoundly impact one's emotions and experiences. Now, however, it feels trivial and burdensome, akin to physical ailments or financial struggles, lacking the emotional weight it once had.

This transformation indicates a shift in the speaker's emotional landscape, where the intensity of past feelings contrasts sharply with today's more superficial problems. The statement implies that deeper connections to unhappiness can shape a person more profoundly than the fleeting, everyday disappointments faced in the present. By mentioning that earlier turmoil would have had a more serious effect on him, the quotation underscores the idea that life experiences evolve, altering the meaning and impact of our feelings.