Destiny Quote by Ernest Becker
“If the love object is divine perfection, then one's own self is elevated by joining one's destiny to it... All our guilt, fear, and even our mortality itself can be purged in a perfect consummation with perfection itself.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Denial of Death, 1973
Seeking unity with an ideal can lift personal suffering, but reliance on perfection may ignore human limits.
In simple terms: Idealizing perfection can ease pain but may be unrealistic.
Key Takeaway
Balance ideal goals with realistic self‑acceptance.
Themes
mortality
spirituality
self‑transcendence
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- personal growth
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
existential psychology
mythic archetypes
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “perfect consummation” mean for you?
- Can striving for perfection hinder authentic living?
A Different Perspective
Perfection may be unattainable, leading to disappointment.
![“If the partner becomes God he can just as easily become the Devil; the reason is not far to seek. For one thing, one becomes bound to the object in dependency. One needs it for self-justification. . . . [O]ne's self-development is restricted by the object, absorbed by it. It is too narrow a…” quote by Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bca/ernest-becker-7036_lose-yourself_if-the-partner-becomes-god-he-can-just-a_336762.jpg)
![“Man blindly works the will of fate. [Ger., Blindlings that er blos den Willen des Geschickes.]” quote by Christoph Martin Wieland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/661/christoph-martin-wieland-35565_blindly_man-blindly-works-the-will-of-fate-ger-b_3452.jpg)
