---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Would I be happy if I discovered that I…"
description: "\"“Would I be happy if I discovered that I could go to heaven forever? And the answer is no. Consider this argument. Think about what is forever. And thi..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/e-o-wilson-2-71260_enough-time_would-i-be-happy-if-i-discovered-that-i_1800637.jpg"
---

#  Would I be happy if I discovered that I could go to heaven…

![“Would I be happy if I discovered that I could go to heaven forever? And the answer is no. Consider this argument. Think about what is forever. And think about the fact that the human mind, the entire human being, is built to last a certain period of time. Our programmed hormonal systems, the way…” quote by E.O. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/e-o-wilson-2-71260_enough-time_would-i-be-happy-if-i-discovered-that-i_1800637.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/e-o-wilson-2-71260_enough-time_would-i-be-happy-if-i-discovered-that-i_1800637.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/e-o-wilson-2-71260_enough-time_would-i-be-happy-if-i-discovered-that-i_1800637.jpg)

> ““Would I be happy if I discovered that I could go to heaven forever? And the answer is no. Consider this argument. Think about what is forever. And think about the fact that the human mind, the entire human being, is built to last a certain period of time. Our programmed hormonal systems, the way we learn, the way we settle upon beliefs, and the way we love are all temporary. Because we go through a life's cycle. Now, if we were to be plucked out at the age of 12 or 56 or whenever, and taken up and told, "Now you will continue your existence as you are. We're not going to blot out your memories. We're not going to diminish your desires." You will exist in a state of bliss - whatever that is - forever. \[...\] Now think, a trillion times a trillion years. Enough time for universes like this one to be born, explode, form countless star systems and planets, then fade away to entropy. You will sit there watching this happen millions and millions of times and that will be just the beginning of the eternity that you've been consigned to bliss in this existence.””

[E.O. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-o-wilson-2/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote argues that eternal bliss is undesirable because human experience is defined by temporality and change; endless sameness would become meaningless.

**In simple terms:** Eternal happiness would be empty for humans.

Key Takeaway

Embrace life's finite nature.

Themes

mortality meaning existence change purpose

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical existential

When to use this quote

- career planning
- relationship building
- creative projects
- spiritual contemplation

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology temporalism

Questions to Reflect On

- What makes finite experiences valuable?
- How would endless bliss affect personal growth?

A Different Perspective

Human desire for novelty may conflict with perpetual contentment.

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[Bliss Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bliss-existence-2028676/) [Enough time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough-time/) [Eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternity/) [Forever Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forever-think-470653/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Heaven Forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-forever-1901040/) [Human mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-mind/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Think Forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-forever-529546/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

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## More by E.O. Wilson

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[Explore all 4 E.O. Wilson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-o-wilson-2/)

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