Happiness Quote by Atul Gawande
““In fact, he argued, human beings need loyalty. It does not necessarily produce happiness, and can even be painful, but we all require devotion to something more than ourselves for our lives to be endurable. Without it, we have only our desires to guide us, and they are fleeting, capricious, and insatiable. They provide, ultimately, only torment. “By nature, I am a sort of meeting place of countless streams of ancestral tendency. From moment to moment … I am a collection of impulses,” Royce observed. “We cannot see the inner light. Let us try the outer one.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Being Mortal, Atul Gawande, 2014
Human beings need devotion beyond self‑interest to give life meaning; loyalty may cause pain but prevents endless desire‑driven torment.
In simple terms: We need something larger than ourselves to endure.
Key Takeaway
Seek purpose beyond personal cravings.
Themes
purpose
loyalty
meaning
human nature
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career choices
- relationships
- spiritual practice
- volunteering
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What larger cause could you devote yourself to?
- How does devotion shape your sense of fulfillment?
A Different Perspective
Loyalty can become oppressive if misaligned with personal values.
