--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Each of us is here for a brief sojourn…" description: "\"“Each of us is here for a brief sojourn, for what purpose he knows not, though sometimes he thinks he feels it”\" — Albert Einstein" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/809/albert-einstein-33_purpose_each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-f_2920627.jpg" --- # Each of us is here for a brief sojourn, for what purpose… ![“Each of us is here for a brief sojourn, for what purpose he knows not, though sometimes he thinks he feels it” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/809/albert-einstein-33_purpose_each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-f_2920627.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/809/albert-einstein-33_purpose_each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-f_2920627.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/809/albert-einstein-33_purpose_each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-f_2920627.jpg) > ““Each of us is here for a brief sojourn, for what purpose he knows not, though sometimes he thinks he feels it”” [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life is a brief stay; purpose is unknown, yet we sometimes sense it. **In simple terms:** Life is fleeting and mysterious. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty and seek meaning. Themes existentialism purpose impermanence Mood thoughtful philosophical Type existential inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - personal reflection - spiritual practice - creative projects Key Concepts Phenomenology meaning‑making Questions to Reflect On - What gives your life meaning? - How do you act without clear purpose? A Different Perspective Purpose may remain elusive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brief Sojourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brief-sojourn-2530172/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Purpose Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-knows-2530174/) [Sojourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sojourn-347697/) [Sojourn Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sojourn-purpose-2530175/) [Thinks Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinks-feels-1241114/) ## Related quotes > [Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he sometimes thinks he senses it. But without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-for-what-purpose-he-knows-not/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/how-strange-is-the-lot-of-us-mortals-each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-2/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he sometimes thinks he senses it. But without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-for-what-purpose-he-knows-not-2/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [“Reading is a sojourn that takes you round the world without having to move your feet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sravani-saha-nakhro/reading-is-a-sojourn-that-takes-you-round-the-world-without-having-to/) [Sravani Saha Nakhro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sravani-saha-nakhro/) > [“Jacen Solo, your sojourn in the lands of the dead is at an end. 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I still can't come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-d-messick/quote-from-the-2nd-book-in-the-sojourn-series-it-s-funny-how-quickly/) [B.D. Messick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-d-messick/) > [The more one thinks, the more one feels the hopeless immensity of man's ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-more-one-thinks-the-more-one-feels-the-hopeless-immensity-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [It is a common saying, and in everybody's mouth, that life is but a sojourn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/it-is-a-common-saying-and-in-everybody-s-mouth-that-life-is-but-a/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“Reading is a sojourn that takes you round the world without having to move a feet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sravani-saha-nakhro/reading-is-a-sojourn-that-takes-you-round-the-world-without-having-to-2/) [Sravani Saha Nakhro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sravani-saha-nakhro/) > [“One by one they are being picked off around him: in his small circle of colleagues the ratio slowly grows top-heavy, more ghosts, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-pynchon/one-by-one-they-are-being-picked-off-around-him-in-his-small-circle/) [Thomas Pynchon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-pynchon/) > [The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers and cities; but to know someone here and there who thinks and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-world-is-so-empty-if-one-thinks-only-of-mountains-rivers-and/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It is a good and safe rule to sojourn in every place as if you meant to spend your life there, never omitting an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-a-good-and-safe-rule-to-sojourn-in-every-place-as-if-you-meant/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [“As you go to sojourn in a far away land for the NYSC programme, I have a precious gift for you. If you write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-a-david/as-you-go-to-sojourn-in-a-far-away-land-for-the-nysc-programme-i-have/) [S. A. David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-a-david/) ## More by Albert Einstein > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The faster you go, the shorter you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-faster-you-go-the-shorter-you-are/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The strongest force in the universe is Compound Interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-strongest-force-in-the-universe-is-compound-interest/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-right-to-search-for-the-truth-implies-also-a-duty-one-must-not/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/everything-that-is-really-great-and-inspiring-is-created-by-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The world we have made is a result of the level of thinking we have done thus far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-world-we-have-made-is-a-result-of-the-level-of-thinking-we-have/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Anyone who thinks science is trying to make human life easier or more pleasant is utterly mistaken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/anyone-who-thinks-science-is-trying-to-make-human-life-easier-or-more/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Life isn't worth living, unless it is lived for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/life-isn-t-worth-living-unless-it-is-lived-for-someone-else/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it isn't true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/just-because-you-don-t-believe-in-something-doesn-t-mean-it-isn-t-true/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [But there is another reason for the high repute of mathematics: it is mathematics that offers the exact natural sciences a certain measure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/but-there-is-another-reason-for-the-high-repute-of-mathematics-it-is/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nothing-will-benefit-human-health-and-increase-the-chances-for/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) [Explore all 2,339 Albert Einstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More Purpose quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [There is something more important than any ultimate weapon. That is the ultimate position-the position of total control over Earth that lies somewhere out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/there-is-something-more-important-than-any-ultimate-weapon-that-is/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [The very purpose for being in this body, for every one of us, is to live and rejoice in that virgin area, that untouched,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/the-very-purpose-for-being-in-this-body-for-every-one-of-us-is-to/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [In 1990, when they asked me to shoot a cover for 'British Vogue' to convey my personal vision of a woman, I explained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lindbergh/in-1990-when-they-asked-me-to-shoot-a-cover-for-british-vogue-to/) [Peter Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lindbergh/) > [Some shows just go away - and that's fine. They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/) [Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/) > [Life is not about how much you have but how much you have affect others life positively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-not-about-how-much-you-have-but-how-much-you-have-affect/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The purpose of this book is to supply, in the form suitable for laymen, guidance in the adoption and execution of an investment policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-purpose-of-this-book-is-to-supply-in-the-form-suitable-for-laymen/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [When you find your purpose in life, nurture it and make it grow so that when you look back you will not regret living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-m/when-you-find-your-purpose-in-life-nurture-it-and-make-it-grow-so/) [Pamela M](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-m/) > [The whole purpose of annual reviews is to keep you abreast of whether or not you are fulfilling the requirements of tenure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/the-whole-purpose-of-annual-reviews-is-to-keep-you-abreast-of-whether/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [Each of our acts makes a statement as to our purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-buscaglia/each-of-our-acts-makes-a-statement-as-to-our-purpose/) [Leo Buscaglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-buscaglia/) > [The purpose of a spirit filled life is to demonstrate the supernatural power of our living God so that the unsaved multitudes will abandon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-l-osborn/the-purpose-of-a-spirit-filled-life-is-to-demonstrate-the/) [T.L. Osborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-l-osborn/) > [Anatomy is destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/anatomy-is-destiny/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [A well-fashioned day - with a beginning and an end, a purpose and a content, a color and a character, a feel and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/a-well-fashioned-day-with-a-beginning-and-an-end-a-purpose-and-a/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [“The power of imagination is strongest in the place of solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/the-power-of-imagination-is-strongest-in-the-place-of-solitude/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [There can be no disparity in marriage like unsuitability of mind and purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/there-can-be-no-disparity-in-marriage-like-unsuitability-of-mind-and/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) [Browse all 13,299 Purpose quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Each of us is here for a brief sojourn, for what purpose he knows not, though sometimes he thinks he feels it”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Albert Einstein" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-for-what-purpose-he-knows-not-3/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Purpose" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-for-what-purpose-he-knows-not-3/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/809/albert-einstein-33_purpose_each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-f_2920627.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/809/albert-einstein-33_purpose_each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-f_2920627.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/809/albert-einstein-33_purpose_each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-f_2920627.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Each of us is here for a brief sojourn, for what purpose he knows not, though sometimes he thinks he feels it” — Albert Einstein", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Albert Einstein", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Each of us is here for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-for-what-purpose-he-knows-not-3/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/each-of-us-is-here-for-a-brief-sojourn-for-what-purpose-he-knows-not-3/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```