--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: see how all our energies are wasted in…" description: "\"“see how all our energies are wasted in providing for mere necessities, which gain have no further end than to prolong a wretched existence; and then t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/goethe-13041_life_see-how-all-our-energies-are-wasted-in-p_262019.jpg" --- # see how all our energies are wasted in providing for mere… ![“see how all our energies are wasted in providing for mere necessities, which gain have no further end than to prolong a wretched existence; and then that all our satisfaction concerning certain subjects of investigation ends in nothing better than a passive resignation” quote by Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/goethe-13041_life_see-how-all-our-energies-are-wasted-in-p_262019.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/goethe-13041_life_see-how-all-our-energies-are-wasted-in-p_262019.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67b/goethe-13041_life_see-how-all-our-energies-are-wasted-in-p_262019.jpg) > ““see how all our energies are wasted in providing for mere necessities, which gain have no further end than to prolong a wretched existence; and then that all our satisfaction concerning certain subjects of investigation ends in nothing better than a passive resignation”” [Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goethe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critiques the futility of material pursuits that lead only to a bleak existence, ending in passive resignation. **In simple terms:** Material focus yields empty life, leading to resignation. Key Takeaway Seek deeper purpose beyond mere survival. Themes existentialism materialism purpose resignation philosophy Mood reflective melancholic Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal reflection - literary analysis - academic discussion Key Concepts meaning of life human condition spiritual fulfillment societal values Questions to Reflect On - What gives your life meaning beyond necessity? - How can we avoid passive resignation? 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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. 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