Anxious Quote by Ernest Becker
“We consult astrology charts like the Babylonians, try to make our children into our own image with a firm hand like the Romans, elbow others to get a breath-quickening glimpse of the queen in her ritual procession, and confess to the priests and attend church. And we wonder why, with all this power capital drawn from so many sources, we are deeply anxious about the meaning of our lives. The reason is plain enough: none of these, nor all of them taken together, represents an integrated world conception into which we fit ourselves with pure belief and trust.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker, 1973
People seek meaning through various traditions, yet lack an integrated worldview, leading to existential anxiety.
In simple terms: Fragmented beliefs cause anxiety about life's purpose.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate a cohesive personal philosophy.
Themes
existential anxiety
meaning
worldview
tradition
belief
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- spiritual practice
- counseling
- education
- community dialogue
Key Concepts
integrated worldview
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one synthesize diverse traditions into a personal worldview?
- What practices help build trust in one's own beliefs?
A Different Perspective
An integrated worldview may be elusive in pluralistic societies.
![“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)
