The meaning of life is simply the meaning we give to it.

““The meaning of life is simply the meaning we give to it.””

Bryant McGill

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Life’s significance is created by the meanings we assign, not by any inherent purpose.

In simple terms: We give life meaning.

Key Takeaway

Choose your own purpose.

Themes

meaning purpose existential personal growth

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

career decisions
relationships
creative projects
spiritual practice

Key Concepts

subjectivity constructivism psychology

Questions to Reflect On

What meanings do you choose?
How do you handle meaning loss?

A Different Perspective

May overlook external influences on meaning.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Bryant McGill

“Witnessing a selfless act brings tears to remind us how we should be treating others.”

Bryant McGill

“The teacher can only provide the lessons, but the student ultimately decides what to learn.”

Bryant McGill

“Start the daily practice of joyful living.”

Bryant McGill

“You have permission to walk away from anything that doesn't feel right. Trust your instincts and listen to your inner-voice — it's trying to…

Bryant McGill

“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”

Bryant McGill

“You cannot change another person's mind or educate them; this they must do themselves.”

Bryant McGill

“The public good must come before private interests.”

Bryant McGill

“Countries, states, cities, corporations and laws are all words on paper.”

Bryant McGill

“We must remember that nature is the supreme cradle of life, and must be protected and treated with the highest respect and care.”

Bryant McGill

“The world is not fair, and often fools, cowards, liars and the selfish hide in high places. (p 57)”

Bryant McGill

“Even discomfort or pain delivers awareness of life, and an opportunity for gratitude.”

Bryant McGill

“The secret to unseating great power, is not to move the other direction, but to compete directly against their goals.”

Bryant McGill

“In the moments of your deepest need, despair and desperation, what you need more than any other thing, is calm and faith.”

Bryant McGill

“It is essential that you follow your own idea of passion, even if to others it looks like suffering.”

Bryant McGill

“Joy is a practice, not an involuntary state.”

Bryant McGill

Explore all 1,286 Bryant McGill quotes

More Giving quotes

Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…

Hermann Hesse

The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…

Chuck Klosterman

True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Crony capitalism is essentially a condition in which... public officials are giving favours to people in the private sector in payment of political favours.

Alan Greenspan

Some people give you that motivation to work harder simply to get the hell away from wherever they are.

Dane Cook

You've touched people and known it. You've touched people and never may know it. Either way, you have something to give. It is in…

Laura Schlessinger

I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…

Bruce Springsteen

I received a beautiful welcome to the world of music. I want to give something back to the younger generation.

Luciano Pavarotti

Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…

St. Catherine of Siena

Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.

Riffat Hassan

Grandma, please. It’s okay. Dad’s doing a great job. I give him kudos for at least being calm and rational, and not losing his…

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Most paper money initially existed as a substitute for gold. That's what gave it value. But right now what gives a currency value is…

Peter Schiff

Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…

Konrad Lorenz