Calling Quote by Ernest Becker
“To live is to play at the meaning of life...The upshot of this . . . is that it teaches us once and for all that childlike foolishness is the calling of mature men.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker, 1973
Maturity involves embracing childlike wonder, allowing playful curiosity to guide serious life decisions.
In simple terms: Adults should keep a childlike sense of wonder.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate playful curiosity.
Themes
maturity
playfulness
wisdom
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- creative problem solving
- learning new skills
- overcoming rigidity
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance playfulness with responsibility?
- What does “childlike foolishness” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Childlike foolishness can lead to reckless decisions without balance.
![“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)
![“I don't see [ Trainspotting ] as an albatross, I see it more as a calling card. It's got me out to Hollywood, I've got a good agent, I've got a good manager, I'm getting a lot of work out there and doing a lot of stuff - getting a lot of film projects on the go.” quote by Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/918/irvine-welsh-843_agents_i-don-t-see-trainspotting-as-an-albatros_7750.jpg)
