True saying Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
““In every human undertaking there is something which is not in our power and does not come within our calculations; the wish to win this for oneself is the origin of the gods. "Primus in orbe Deos fecit timor" is an old and true saying of Petronius.””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Treatise: De Rerum Natura, 1851
Human endeavors face limits beyond control; the desire to dominate fuels divine-like ambition.
In simple terms: Limits exist; ambition can become godlike.
Key Takeaway
Accept limits, temper ambition.
Themes
philosophy
human limitation
ambition
divine
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- leadership training
- ethical decision‑making
- creative planning
Key Concepts
metaphysics
ego
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What boundaries should you set for your goals?
- How does recognizing limits affect your drive?
A Different Perspective
Ambition may cause hubris or ethical lapses.
![“[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)
