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Adult life Quote by David Foster Wallace

“Because here's something else that's weird but true: in the day-to day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And the compelling reason for maybe choosing some…” quote by David Foster Wallace
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““Because here's something else that's weird but true: in the day-to day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And the compelling reason for maybe choosing some sort of god or spiritual-type thing to worship—be it JC or Allah, be it YHWH or the Wiccan Mother Goddess, or the Four Noble Truths, or some inviolable set of ethical principles—is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things, if they are where you tap real meaning in life, then you will never have enough, never feel you have enough. It's the truth. Worship your body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly. And when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally grieve you. On one level, we all know this stuff already. It's been codified as myths, proverbs, clichés, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story. The whole trick is keeping the truth up front in daily consciousness.””

David Foster Wallace

About This Quote

Source Speech: Public Lecture, David Foster Wallace, 2005

Everyone inevitably worships something; choosing what to worship shapes life’s meaning and satisfaction.

In simple terms: We all worship something; choose wisely.

Key Takeaway

Select values that sustain well‑being.

Themes

philosophy spirituality psychology

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal development
  • religious discourse
  • ethical decision‑making
  • cultural analysis

Key Concepts

materialism meaning ethical frameworks

Questions to Reflect On

  • What do you currently worship?
  • How does that affect your happiness?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on any single object can lead to imbalance.

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