Skip to content

This is the tendency of all living things: to avoid pain…

“This is the tendency of all living things: to avoid pain and to cling to pleasure.” quote by Pema Chodron
Download Open image
“This is the tendency of all living things: to avoid pain and to cling to pleasure.”

Pema Chodron

About This Quote

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

It states a fundamental drive of living beings to evade pain and pursue pleasure, highlighting a basic survival instinct.

In simple terms: Avoid pain, seek pleasure.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and balance these drives.

Themes

human nature desire avoidance

Mood

contemplative neutral

Type

philosophical psychological

When to use this quote

  • decision making
  • habit formation
  • risk assessment

Key Concepts

psychology hedonism instinct

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance pain avoidance with growth?
  • What pleasures serve your long‑term well‑being?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on pleasure can lead to avoidance of growth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Pema Chodron

Explore all 664 Pema Chodron quotes

More Life quotes

Browse all 265,290 Life quotes