Able Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
“If we were not all so interested in ourselves, life would be so uninteresting that none of us would be able to endure it.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophy: The World as Will and Representation, 1818
Self‑absorption makes life dull; without personal interest, existence feels unbearable.
In simple terms: Self‑interest makes life bearable.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate curiosity about others.
Themes
self‑interest
meaning
existence
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- relationships
- community building
- mental health
- philosophical reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance self‑interest with empathy?
- What practices foster genuine curiosity about others?
A Different Perspective
If everyone were fully self‑interested, cooperation could collapse.
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
![“[Materialism] seeks the primary and most simple state of matter, and then tries to develop all the others from it; ascending from mere mechanism, to chemism, to polarity, to the vegetable and to the animal kingdom. And if we suppose this to have been done, the last link in the chain would be…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88c/arthur-schopenhauer-226_animal-kingdom_materialism-seeks-the-primary-and-most-s_50402.jpg)
