--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is this ability to bear what is…" description: "\"It is this ability to bear what is unbearable and to go on living, to go on doing what one is used to doing—it is this uncanny ability that the existen..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christa-wolf-15775_ability_it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbea_497307.jpg" --- # It is this ability to bear what is unbearable and to go on… ![“It is this ability to bear what is unbearable and to go on living, to go on doing what one is used to doing—it is this uncanny ability that the existence of the human race is based on.” quote by Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christa-wolf-15775_ability_it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbea_497307.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christa-wolf-15775_ability_it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbea_497307.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christa-wolf-15775_ability_it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbea_497307.jpg) > “It is this ability to bear what is unbearable and to go on living, to go on doing what one is used to doing—it is this uncanny ability that the existence of the human race is based on.” [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human resilience lets us endure unbearable suffering and continue daily life, forming the basis of our species. **In simple terms:** Endurance sustains humanity. Key Takeaway Cultivate resilience. Themes resilience human condition survival Mood reflective determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - war trauma - personal loss - everyday stress - chronic illness Key Concepts existentialism psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do you sustain daily routine under extreme stress? - What practices strengthen your endurance? A Different Perspective Resilience can be strained by overwhelming trauma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Bears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bears/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Human race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-race/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Uncanny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncanny/) ## Related quotes > [I'd never taken to four foot creatures who had the uncanny ability to point out all my flaws in thirty second flat. 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It always means to give up a secure state, which was relatively known, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/each-new-step-into-his-new-human-existence-is-frightening-it-always/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Both life and death manifest in every moment of existence. Our human body appears and disappears moment by moment, without cease, and this ceaseless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-ozeki/both-life-and-death-manifest-in-every-moment-of-existence-our-human/) [Ruth Ozeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-ozeki/) > [We have reached the end of the road that is built on the set of traits held out for male identity--advance at any cost,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-have-reached-the-end-of-the-road-that-is-built-on-the-set-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Peace is not a luxury. It's not an option. It is fundamental to the existence and well-being of a human being to have peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prem-rawat/peace-is-not-a-luxury-it-s-not-an-option-it-is-fundamental-to-the/) [Prem Rawat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prem-rawat/) > [“...we live this one brief and precious hour called Life; ...it is not in keeping with the nobility of existence to keep other human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-smedley/we-live-this-one-brief-and-precious-hour-called-life-it-is-not-in/) [Agnes Smedley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-smedley/) > [Hard to guess what people see in each other, fortunately for the continued existence of the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/del-shannon/hard-to-guess-what-people-see-in-each-other-fortunately-for-the/) [Del Shannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/del-shannon/) > [When a person understands what sort of existence a human being is, and what exactly the "self" is, that person has been liberated forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masahisa-goi/when-a-person-understands-what-sort-of-existence-a-human-being-is-and/) [Masahisa Goi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masahisa-goi/) ## More by Christa Wolf > [A possession considered of little value up to now suddenly becomes precious to a person if another person desires it, don't you think?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/a-possession-considered-of-little-value-up-to-now-suddenly-becomes/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [I forget very fast and want to record thus simply impress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/i-forget-very-fast-and-want-to-record-thus-simply-impress/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [The past is not dead - it isn't even past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/the-past-is-not-dead-it-isn-t-even-past/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [“I often wonder if the bill is yet to be presented during our lifetime. If not, I must present it to myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/i-often-wonder-if-the-bill-is-yet-to-be-presented-during-our-lifetime/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [To prevent wars, people must criticize, in their own country, the abuses that occur in their own country. The role taboos play in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/to-prevent-wars-people-must-criticize-in-their-own-country-the-abuses/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [“The real question is: How sturdy and solid is the floor our civilization stands on? How many lives with no prospects, shattered and senseless,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/the-real-question-is-how-sturdy-and-solid-is-the-floor-our/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [Autonomous people, nations, and systems can promote each other's welfare; they do not have to fight each other like those whose inner insecurity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/autonomous-people-nations-and-systems-can-promote-each-other-s/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [“Wir können, was wir sehen, noch nicht glauben. Was wir schon glauben, nicht aussprechen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/wir-k-nnen-was-wir-sehen-noch-nicht-glauben-was-wir-schon-glauben/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [I claim that every woman in this century and in our culture sphere who has ventured into male-dominated institutions - 'literature' and 'aesthetics' are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/i-claim-that-every-woman-in-this-century-and-in-our-culture-sphere/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [Between killing and dying there's a third way: live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/between-killing-and-dying-there-s-a-third-way-live/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [“Every system of power in the world has a vested interest in weakening the individuality of its subjects and tries to weaken or it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/every-system-of-power-in-the-world-has-a-vested-interest-in-weakening/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [Night thoughts have a different color than day thoughts, a different slant, more than anything else they know all the secret paths and chinks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/night-thoughts-have-a-different-color-than-day-thoughts-a-different/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [The most beautiful thing under the sun is being under the sun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/the-most-beautiful-thing-under-the-sun-is-being-under-the-sun/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [When we stop hoping, that which we fear will certainly come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/when-we-stop-hoping-that-which-we-fear-will-certainly-come/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) > [You love tenderly and warmly, but your love is like friendship. That's why you have good friends, you're sociable, sympathetic toward people. Until this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/you-love-tenderly-and-warmly-but-your-love-is-like-friendship-that-s/) [Christa Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) [Explore all 21 Christa Wolf quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is this ability to bear what is unbearable and to go on living, to go on doing what one is used to doing—it is this uncanny ability that the existence of the human race is based on.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christa Wolf" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbearable-and-to-go-on-living-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbearable-and-to-go-on-living-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christa-wolf-15775_ability_it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbea_497307.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christa-wolf-15775_ability_it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbea_497307.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christa-wolf-15775_ability_it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbea_497307.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is this ability to bear what is unbearable and to go on living, to go on doing what one is used to…” — Christa Wolf", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Christa Wolf", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-wolf/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is this ability to bear...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbearable-and-to-go-on-living-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-wolf/it-is-this-ability-to-bear-what-is-unbearable-and-to-go-on-living-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```