Characteristics Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
“What give all that is tragic, whatever its form, the characteristic of the sublime, is the first inkling of the knowledge that the world and life can give no satisfaction, and are not worth our investment in them. The tragic spirit consists in this. Accordingly it leads to resignation.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The World as Will and Representation, Arthur Schopenhauer, 1818
The sublime arises from recognizing life's inherent dissatisfaction, prompting resignation.
In simple terms: Recognition of life's emptiness leads to resignation.
Key Takeaway
Accept limits, seek inner peace.
Themes
philosophy
existentialism
resignation
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- personal reflection
- spiritual contemplation
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
sublime
nihilism
knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- Can recognizing life's futility inspire meaningful action?
- How does resignation differ from acceptance?
A Different Perspective
The view may ignore moments of joy and agency.
![“[I]n other words, we should live with due knowledge of the course of things in the world. For whenever a man in any way loses self-control, or is struck down by a misfortune, grows angry, or loses heart, he shows in this way that he finds things different from what he expected, and consequently…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6af/arthur-schopenhauer-226_every-step_i-n-other-words-we-should-live-with-due_3042458.jpg)
![“[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)
