Agony Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
“It would be better if there were nothing. Since there is more pain than pleasure on earth, every satisfaction is only transitory, creating new desires and new distresses, and the agony of the devoured animal is always far greater than the pleasure of the devourer”
About This Quote
Source Philosophy: “The World as Will and Representation”, 1818
Life’s fleeting pleasures are outweighed by pain; satisfaction is temporary, leading to new desires and suffering.
In simple terms: Pleasure is temporary, pain dominates.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the impermanence of desire.
Themes
philosophy
existentialism
pain
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
existential
When to use this quote
- mindfulness practice
- philosophical study
- counseling
- stress reduction
Key Concepts
will
desire
transience
suffering
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we find lasting contentment despite transience?
- What role does desire play in our happiness?
A Different Perspective
May be overly pessimistic, ignoring positive experiences.
![“[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)
![“[W]e must learn to accommodate ourselves to the discovery that some of those cunningly-fashioned instruments called human souls have only a very limited range of music, and will not vibrate in the least under a touch that fills others with tremulous rapture or quivering agony.” quote by George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9be/george-eliot-84_agony_w-e-must-learn-to-accommodate-ourselves_12409.jpg)
