Skip to content

A man can wish to slink away from many things in life, and…

“A man can wish to slink away from many things in life, and he may even succeed, so that life’s favored one can say in the last moment, “I slipped away from all the cares under which other men suffered.” But if such a person wishes to bluster out of, to defy, or to slink away from remorse, alas…” quote by Søren Kierkegaard
Download Open image
““A man can wish to slink away from many things in life, and he may even succeed, so that life’s favored one can say in the last moment, “I slipped away from all the cares under which other men suffered.” But if such a person wishes to bluster out of, to defy, or to slink away from remorse, alas, which is indeed the most terrible to say of him, that he failed, or — that he succeeded?””

Søren Kierkegaard

About This Quote

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

The quote explores the paradox of escaping responsibilities versus confronting remorse, questioning success and failure.

In simple terms: Escaping duties vs facing guilt creates paradox.

Key Takeaway

Reflect on what truly matters.

Themes

existential choice responsibility

Mood

thoughtful philosophical

Type

paradoxical inquisitive

When to use this quote

  • life decisions
  • ethical dilemmas
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

paradox freedom moral dilemma

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you avoid pain or confront it?
  • What defines true success?
A Different Perspective

Success may be illusory if guilt remains.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Søren Kierkegaard

Explore all 184 Søren Kierkegaard quotes

More Life quotes

Browse all 265,290 Life quotes