--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is born in mind that the tragedy of…" description: "\"“It is born in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching the goal. The tragedy of life lies in having no goal to reach.”\" — Benjamin E..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/benjamin-e-mays-20877_goals_it-is-born-in-mind-that-the-tragedy-of-l_873608.png" --- # It is born in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie… ![“It is born in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching the goal. The tragedy of life lies in having no goal to reach.” quote by Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/benjamin-e-mays-20877_goals_it-is-born-in-mind-that-the-tragedy-of-l_873608.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/benjamin-e-mays-20877_goals_it-is-born-in-mind-that-the-tragedy-of-l_873608.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/531/benjamin-e-mays-20877_goals_it-is-born-in-mind-that-the-tragedy-of-l_873608.png) > ““It is born in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching the goal. The tragedy of life lies in having no goal to reach.”” [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life’s tragedy is not failing to meet a goal, but lacking any goal at all; purpose drives effort and fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Without goals, life feels empty; set purpose. Key Takeaway Define clear, meaningful objectives. Themes purpose goal-setting motivation Mood reflective motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - educational pursuits - creative projects Key Concepts existential philosophy personal development Questions to Reflect On - What purpose drives you currently? - How do you balance goal pursuit with present enjoyment? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on goals can cause stress and neglect of process. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Born Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born-mind-366013/) [Goal Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal-tragedy-749468/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Having Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-goal-977766/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mind Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-tragedy-977765/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy/) [Tragedy Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy-life/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. 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One of the worlds greatest Chess players - the pride and sorrow of American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-brady/bobby-fischer-s-current-state-of-mind-is-indeed-a-tragedy-one-of-the/) [Frank Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-brady/) > [The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-lies-in-having-no-goal-to-reach/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Failure isn't in not reaching your goal but in having no goal to reach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/failure-isn-t-in-not-reaching-your-goal-but-in-having-no-goal-to-reach/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [“Until recently, it was believed that when a baby was born its mind was a clean slate on which its teachers could write its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/until-recently-it-was-believed-that-when-a-baby-was-born-its-mind-was/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everything that is of authentic value in life has arisen out of meditation. There is no other way. Meditation is the mother of art,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/everything-that-is-of-authentic-value-in-life-has-arisen-out-of/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [The truly still mind, with which you were born, is the mind that moves freely. Without ignoring anything, it reacts wholeheartedly to everything it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soko-morinaga/the-truly-still-mind-with-which-you-were-born-is-the-mind-that-moves/) [Soko Morinaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soko-morinaga/) ## More by Benjamin E. Mays > [He who starts behind in the great race of life must forever remain behind or run faster than the man in front.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/he-who-starts-behind-in-the-great-race-of-life-must-forever-remain/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-life-doesn-t-lie-in-not-reaching-your-goal-the-tragedy/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency; not in our doing too much, but rather in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-life-is-often-not-in-our-failure-but-rather-in-our/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Man is what his dreams are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/man-is-what-his-dreams-are/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Failure isn't in not reaching your goal but in having no goal to reach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/failure-isn-t-in-not-reaching-your-goal-but-in-having-no-goal-to-reach/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Not failure, but low aim is sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/not-failure-but-low-aim-is-sin/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [If what is communicated is false, it can hardly be called communication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/if-what-is-communicated-is-false-it-can-hardly-be-called-communication/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [ \[H\]owever hard the road, however difficult today, tomorrow things will be better. Tomorrow may not be better, but we must believe that it will… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/h-owever-hard-the-road-however-difficult-today-tomorrow-things-will/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Whatever you do, do it so well that people looking on will feel that the task was reserved especially for you by God Himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/whatever-you-do-do-it-so-well-that-people-looking-on-will-feel-that/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [A child must learn early to believe that she is somebody worthwhile, and that she can do many praiseworthy things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/a-child-must-learn-early-to-believe-that-she-is-somebody-worthwhile/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy of life is not found in failure but complacency. Not in you doing too much, but doing too little. Not in you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-life-is-not-found-in-failure-but-complacency-not-in/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [It isn't a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/it-isn-t-a-disgrace-not-to-reach-the-stars-but-it-is-a-disgrace-to/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The creation of the spiritual was no accident. It was a creation born of necessity, so that the slave might more adequately adjust himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-creation-of-the-spiritual-was-no-accident-it-was-a-creation-born/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [. . . the circumference of life cannot be rightly drawn until the center is set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-circumference-of-life-cannot-be-rightly-drawn-until-the-center-is/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-lies-in-having-no-goal-to-reach/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) [Explore all 30 Benjamin E. Mays quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) ## More Goals quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/) [Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“What shapes us is not always our achievements but our omissions. Not lies; simply the truths we don’t tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-tudor/what-shapes-us-is-not-always-our-achievements-but-our-omissions-not/) [C.J. Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-tudor/) [Browse all 21,276 Goals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is born in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching the goal. The tragedy of life lies in having no goal to reach.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Benjamin E. 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