Life Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
“Man is never happy, but spends his whole life in striving after something which he thinks will make him so.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The World as Will and Representation, 1818
Human happiness is elusive; we spend life chasing something we think will bring fulfillment.
In simple terms: We chase elusive happiness.
Key Takeaway
Focus on present contentment rather than endless striving.
Themes
happiness
striving
philosophy
Mood
contemplative
serene
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career
- relationships
- spiritual practice
- mindfulness
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly satisfies you now?
- How can you reduce endless striving?
A Different Perspective
Endless pursuit can cause chronic dissatisfaction.
![“[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)
