Arthur-schopenhauer Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
““When you consider how great and immediate is the problem of existence, this ambiguous, tormented, fleeting, dream-like existence - so great and so immediate that as soon as you are aware of it, it overshadows and obscures all other problems and aims; and when you then see how men, with a few rare exceptions, have no clear awareness of this problem, indeed seem not to be conscious of it at all, but concern themselves with anything rather than this problem, and live on taking thought only for the day and for the hardly longer span of their own individual future, either expressly refusing to consider this problem or contenting themselves with some system of popular metaphysics..””
About This Quote
Source Book: The World as Will and Representation, Arthur Schopenhauer, 1818
Existence is a profound, urgent problem that most people ignore, focusing on daily concerns and shallow philosophies.
In simple terms: People often overlook life's deep meaning, chasing trivial goals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront the fundamental question of existence.
Themes
existentialism
philosophy
awareness
meaning
mortality
Mood
thoughtful
serious
reflective
Type
philosophical
existential
inspirational
When to use this quote
- daily routines
- education
- mental health counseling
- spiritual practice
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
will
representation
metaphysics
consciousness
Questions to Reflect On
- What does existence mean to you?
- How can you integrate this awareness into daily decisions?
A Different Perspective
Many find the concept too abstract or overwhelming to engage with in everyday life.
![“[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)
