--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I want to know--or understand something…" description: "\"“I want to know--or understand something. I've been sick my whole life. What is the point of being alive if I never get to live?”\" — Erin Kellison" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/erin-kellison-25062_life_i-want-to-know-or-understand-something-i_1339870.jpg" --- # I want to know--or understand something. I've been sick my… ![“I want to know--or understand something. I've been sick my whole life. What is the point of being alive if I never get to live?” quote by Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/erin-kellison-25062_life_i-want-to-know-or-understand-something-i_1339870.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/erin-kellison-25062_life_i-want-to-know-or-understand-something-i_1339870.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/erin-kellison-25062_life_i-want-to-know-or-understand-something-i_1339870.jpg) > ““I want to know--or understand something. I've been sick my whole life. What is the point of being alive if I never get to live?”” [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A person feels existential despair due to chronic illness, questioning life's purpose without experiencing fulfillment **In simple terms:** Illness leads to questioning life's meaning Key Takeaway Seek meaning beyond health; find purpose in moments Themes existential health purpose Mood reflective somber Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal reflection - therapy - support groups - creative expression Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What gives you a sense of purpose now? - How can you find meaning beyond physical health? A Different Perspective Life can hold meaning despite suffering but may require redefining goals ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [Lie to me, Convince me that I've been sick forever. And all of this, Will make sense when I get better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evanescence/lie-to-me-convince-me-that-i-ve-been-sick-forever-and-all-of-this/) [Evanescence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evanescence/) > [Listen, I've been sick ever since I started working here, but today I'm well and I won't be in anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/listen-i-ve-been-sick-ever-since-i-started-working-here-but-today-i-m/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“I’ve been sick for so long I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-g-bailey/i-ve-been-sick-for-so-long-i-don-t-remember-a-time-when-i-wasn-t/) [Alison G. Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-g-bailey/) > [“As you know, I’ve been sick and stupid for a long time. I have a lot to make up for,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/as-you-know-i-ve-been-sick-and-stupid-for-a-long-time-i-have-a-lot-to/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“plate from him. “I do not believe you’ve never been sick.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-holt/plate-from-him-i-do-not-believe-you-ve-never-been-sick/) Samantha Holt > [“I’ve been sick too.” I faked a pathetic-sounding cough. “Must be something I caught last time I was here. Bastard Plague?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-mcadams/i-ve-been-sick-too-i-faked-a-pathetic-sounding-cough-must-be/) [Molly McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-mcadams/) > [I have consistently loved books that I've read when I've been sick in bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/i-have-consistently-loved-books-that-i-ve-read-when-i-ve-been-sick-in/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) > [“Most people seem to get bored easily when having an easy life, and need to feed on drama and conflicts to feel alive. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/most-people-seem-to-get-bored-easily-when-having-an-easy-life-and/) [Robin Sacredfire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sacredfire/) > [So sick of life at the moment its seems to be getting better then its kicks you so hard, I just feel like giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-sick-of-life-at-the-moment-its-seems-to-be-getting-better-then-its/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I was alone alright. And life surely had been a hard trial for me, so far. From the time mama and Katie fell sick,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-gemeinhart/i-was-alone-alright-and-life-surely-had-been-a-hard-trial-for-me-so/) Dan Gemeinhart > [We shouldn't be this sick of life at such a young age and yet here we are...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-shouldn-t-be-this-sick-of-life-at-such-a-young-age-and-yet-here-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's just what people do when they're getting old, when they're sick of themselves and their life; they think of money and take care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/it-s-just-what-people-do-when-they-re-getting-old-when-they-re-sick/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [ To the sick, while there is life there is hope. \[Lat., Aegroto dum anima est, spes est.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/to-the-sick-while-there-is-life-there-is-hope-lat-aegroto-dum-anima/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“I'm sick with life, I'm rotten with health.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/i-m-sick-with-life-i-m-rotten-with-health/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [I'm honestly sick of everything and everyone in my life, need a new life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-honestly-sick-of-everything-and-everyone-in-my-life-need-a-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Erin Kellison > [“Adam swallowed thickly. "Can you see the future?" "I see many futures." "Many?" "As many futures as there are choices." "Do I defeat the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/adam-swallowed-thickly-can-you-see-the-future-i-see-many-futures-many/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“Maybe the Indirect Surveillance thing cost him brain cells. Good thing he was so pretty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/maybe-the-indirect-surveillance-thing-cost-him-brain-cells-good-thing/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“Maisie was willing to bet there’d be a third living room within. Because what else would they do with all this space but buy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/maisie-was-willing-to-bet-there-d-be-a-third-living-room-within/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“He was huge, no missing that, but she was determined to have him regardless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/he-was-huge-no-missing-that-but-she-was-determined-to-have-him/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“Banshee. Beauty. And, well, badass. He always knew she had it in her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/banshee-beauty-and-well-badass-he-always-knew-she-had-it-in-her/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“He dragged her to him, and she, being equally focused on attaching her mouth to his, lost her balance. Stepping in for the save,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/he-dragged-her-to-him-and-she-being-equally-focused-on-attaching-her/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“She gave herself up to the waves of the storm. If they drowned, it would be together, a shattered vessel on the sea, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/she-gave-herself-up-to-the-waves-of-the-storm-if-they-drowned-it/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“Lady Amunsdale," Talia said, looking around the room. Nothing. Ridiculous. She tried again, louder, with melodrama. "Lady Amunsdale. Please grace us with your presence."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/lady-amunsdale-talia-said-looking-around-the-room-nothing-ridiculous/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“How very…underhanded of him to hide these chiseled abs and dizzying obliques with suits. Steve-o had been holding out on her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/how-very-underhanded-of-him-to-hide-these-chiseled-abs-and-dizzying/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“Kathleen," he calls, his voice a groan. There is magic in names. Can she hear him? "Kathleen," he calls again, louder. Behind him, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/kathleen-he-calls-his-voice-a-groan-there-is-magic-in-names-can-she/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“Whatever was going on with Rook and Coll officially didn’t matter anymore. They’d just have to rot in prison by themselves. He’d join them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/whatever-was-going-on-with-rook-and-coll-officially-didn-t-matter/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“Abigail laughed. "Poor Adam. Probably thought he'd found a woman who would follow his lead, do everything he said. Got a banshee instead. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/abigail-laughed-poor-adam-probably-thought-he-d-found-a-woman-who/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“True fear has nothing to do with what might happen to you, however painful or vile that might be. True fear is all about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/true-fear-has-nothing-to-do-with-what-might-happen-to-you-however/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“Never had she come so hard that she’d been left a noodle. Al dente, she thought.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/never-had-she-come-so-hard-that-she-d-been-left-a-noodle-al-dente-she/) [Erin Kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) > [“There is no reason for beauty. It just is.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kellison/there-is-no-reason-for-beauty-it-just-is/) [erin kellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) [Explore all 23 Erin Kellison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kellison/) ## More Life quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life works most perfectly when a reciprocal love relationship is in place between man and God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/life-works-most-perfectly-when-a-reciprocal-love-relationship-is-in/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“There's more to life than you can see. Your sight is limited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-kling/there-s-more-to-life-than-you-can-see-your-sight-is-limited/) [Tammy Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-kling/) > [“I've spent much of my life calling my intuition "something wrong with me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-l-lawlis/i-ve-spent-much-of-my-life-calling-my-intuition-something-wrong-with/) Deanna L. Lawlis > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/) [Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/) > [But just remember, life without me would be even more unbearable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/but-just-remember-life-without-me-would-be-even-more-unbearable/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) [Browse all 265,290 Life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I want to know--or understand something. 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