--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For thousands of years, human beings have…" description: "\"For thousands of years, human beings have been obsessed with beauty, truth, love, honor, altruism, courage, social relationships, art, and God. They al..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c76/deepak-chopra-63_altruism_for-thousands-of-years-human-beings-have_1065569.jpg" --- # For thousands of years, human beings have been obsessed… ![“For thousands of years, human beings have been obsessed with beauty, truth, love, honor, altruism, courage, social relationships, art, and God. They all go together as subjective experiences, and it's a straw man to set God up as the delusion. If he is, then so is truth itself or beauty itself.” quote by Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c76/deepak-chopra-63_altruism_for-thousands-of-years-human-beings-have_1065569.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c76/deepak-chopra-63_altruism_for-thousands-of-years-human-beings-have_1065569.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c76/deepak-chopra-63_altruism_for-thousands-of-years-human-beings-have_1065569.jpg) > “For thousands of years, human beings have been obsessed with beauty, truth, love, honor, altruism, courage, social relationships, art, and God. They all go together as subjective experiences, and it's a straw man to set God up as the delusion. If he is, then so is truth itself or beauty itself.” [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human values like beauty and truth are subjective; labeling God as delusion also dismisses those values. **In simple terms:** Subjective values tie to belief. Key Takeaway Consider the broader impact of belief. Themes spirituality subjectivity philosophy Mood contemplative inquisitive Type philosophical dialogue When to use this quote - religious discourse - ethical debates - personal reflection Key Concepts ontology epistemology Questions to Reflect On - What role do subjective experiences play in belief? - How can we respect differing worldviews? A Different Perspective Dismissal of God may ignore cultural significance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Altruism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Beauty Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty-truth/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion/) [Delusion Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion-truth-2134567/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [God delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-delusion/) [God Subjective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-subjective-2626117/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Obsessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsessed/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-relationships/) [Subjective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subjective/) [Together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/together/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-love/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [Without the cross the Discipline of Confession would be merely therapeutic. But it is so much more. It involves an objective \[a better word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/without-the-cross-the-discipline-of-confession-would-be-merely/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [The existence of God is not subjective. He either exists or he doesnt. Its not a matter of opinion. You can have your own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-existence-of-god-is-not-subjective-he-either-exists-or-he-doesnt/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The historical emphasis upon the individual has been at the expense of the associative and symbolic relationship that must in fact uphold the individual’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-nisbet/the-historical-emphasis-upon-the-individual-has-been-at-the-expense/) [Robert A. Nisbet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-nisbet/) > [The existence of God is not subjective. He either exists or he doesn’t. 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This is a delusion;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/some-advanced-thinkers-are-of-the-opinion-that-anyone-who-differs/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [When the filter is weakened by a powerful drug, what we see is not delusion but the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-peter-blatty/when-the-filter-is-weakened-by-a-powerful-drug-what-we-see-is-not/) [William Peter Blatty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-peter-blatty/) > [Where is the delusion when truth is known? Where is the disease when the mind is clear? Where is death when the Breath is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tirumalai-krishnamacharya/where-is-the-delusion-when-truth-is-known-where-is-the-disease-when/) [Tirumalai Krishnamacharya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tirumalai-krishnamacharya/) > [“Why do you so earnestly seek the truth in distant places? Look for delusion and truth in the bottom of your own heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryokan/why-do-you-so-earnestly-seek-the-truth-in-distant-places-look-for/) [Ryokan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryokan/) > [“He said every delusion has an objective, and the objective of a delusion is not merely to colonize one brain but to transmit itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manu-joseph/he-said-every-delusion-has-an-objective-and-the-objective-of-a/) [Manu Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manu-joseph/) > [“The majority of men prefer delusion to truth. It soothes. It is easy to grasp. Above all, it fits more snugly than the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken-2/the-majority-of-men-prefer-delusion-to-truth-it-soothes-it-is-easy-to/) [H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken-2/) > [If you pay attention to those aspects of God that demonstrate love, truth, beauty, intelligence, order, and spiritual evolution, those aspects will begin to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/if-you-pay-attention-to-those-aspects-of-god-that-demonstrate-love/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [When two opposite points of view are expressed with equal intensity, the truth does not necessarily lie exactly half way between. It is possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/when-two-opposite-points-of-view-are-expressed-with-equal-intensity/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/religion-has-actually-convinced-people-that-there-s-an-invisible-man/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Atheism Explained is a gem. It is clear, informative, well-argued, provocative, often witty, and unfailingly interesting. David Ramsay Steele ranges over so many issues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-shearmur/atheism-explained-is-a-gem-it-is-clear-informative-well-argued/) [Jeremy Shearmur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-shearmur/) ## More by Deepak Chopra > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“Molecules form and dissolve, returning to the primordial soup of atoms. But consciousness survives the death of the molecules on which it rides. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/molecules-form-and-dissolve-returning-to-the-primordial-soup-of-atoms/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Unbounded awareness is the reservoir of possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/unbounded-awareness-is-the-reservoir-of-possibilities/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Spiritual awareness is not only one of the keys to the healing process. Spiritual awareness is the only way that healing can occur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/spiritual-awareness-is-not-only-one-of-the-keys-to-the-healing/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [All experiences are either positive for your brain or negative. 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Your life depends on which one you choose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/there-are-only-2-responses-to-the-world-fear-or-love-your-life/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [If you take the the insults of your fellow human beings personally, you will be offended for the rest of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/if-you-take-the-the-insults-of-your-fellow-human-beings-personally/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [A person desperately searching for love," Merlin said, "reminds me of a fish desperately searching for water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/a-person-desperately-searching-for-love-merlin-said-reminds-me-of-a/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Fighting your ego is a melodrama of the ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/fighting-your-ego-is-a-melodrama-of-the-ego/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [The same faint song is heard in everything: "Behold yourself".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-same-faint-song-is-heard-in-everything-behold-yourself/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“All creativity is based on quantum leaps and uncertainty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/all-creativity-is-based-on-quantum-leaps-and-uncertainty/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [The soul knows everything. Be who you are and your life will transform forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-soul-knows-everything-be-who-you-are-and-your-life-will-transform/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [The willingness to reach inside every part of yourself opens the door to total understanding. You place your entire identity on the line, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-willingness-to-reach-inside-every-part-of-yourself-opens-the-door/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Be willing to redefine yourself every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/be-willing-to-redefine-yourself-every-day/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [To have weakness is not to be flawed--it's to be complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/to-have-weakness-is-not-to-be-flawed-it-s-to-be-complete/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) [Explore all 1,675 Deepak Chopra quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) ## More Altruism quotes > [“It takes a female to have a baby, It takes a woman to raise a child, It takes a mother to raise them correctly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-takes-a-female-to-have-a-baby-it-takes-a-woman-to-raise-a-child-it/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Some of our friends are our friends only because we used to be friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-of-our-friends-are-our-friends-only-because-we-used-to-be-friends/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“...True classical dropouts in society are those who avoid difficult challenges and cling to the first opportunity that comes their way. They never test…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/true-classical-dropouts-in-society-are-those-who-avoid-difficult/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Take a stand that reflects the widest horizons of your soul if you don’t want to be a slave to external powers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/take-a-stand-that-reflects-the-widest-horizons-of-your-soul-if-you/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [One of the great issues in biology is the origin of altruism - of why you would do something for someone else that could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabella-rossellini/one-of-the-great-issues-in-biology-is-the-origin-of-altruism-of-why/) [Isabella Rossellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabella-rossellini/) > [How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/how-selfish-soever-man-may-be-supposed-there-are-evidently-some/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [Restoration ecology is experimental science, a science of love and altruism. In its attempts to reverse the processes of ecosystem degradation it runs exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-mills/restoration-ecology-is-experimental-science-a-science-of-love-and/) [Stephanie Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-mills/) > [“...of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of 'altruism' is the worst. People do what they want to do, every time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/of-all-the-nonsense-that-twists-the-world-the-concept-of-altruism-is/) [Robert A. 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Their gratitude stems not only from their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/most-of-the-truly-kind-people-of-this-world-show-some-measure-of/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) [Browse all 419 Altruism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For thousands of years, human beings have been obsessed with beauty, truth, love, honor, altruism, courage, social relationships, art, and God. They all go together as subjective experiences, and it's a straw man to set God up as the delusion. 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