In the first place a man never is happy but spends his…
““In the first place a man never is happy but spends his whole life in striving after something which he thinks will make him so; he seldom attains his goal and, when he does it is only to be disappointed: he is mostly shipwrecked in the end and comes into the harbour with masts and riggings gone. And then it is all one whether he has been happy or miserable; for his life was never anything more than a present moment, always vanishing; and now it is over….We are like lambs playing in the field, while the butcher eyes them and selects first one then the other; for in our good days we do not know what calamity fate at this very moment has in store for us, sickness persecution, impoverishment, mutilation, loss of site, madness, and death.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human life is a fleeting present; endless striving leads to disappointment and existential dread.
In simple terms: Life is brief; chasing happiness often fails.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the present, let go of endless striving.
Themes
existentialism
impermanence
acceptance
Mood
contemplative
somber
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- relationship crises
Key Concepts
mindfulness
psychology
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you find meaning in everyday moments?
- What does “present” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Suffering can be inevitable despite effort.