--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most of the avoidable suffering in life…" description: "\"Most of the avoidable suffering in life springs from our attempts to escape the unavoidable suffering inherent in the fragmentary nature of our present..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/452/hugh-kingsmill-30142_action_most-of-the-avoidable-suffering-in-life_2501633.jpg" --- # Most of the avoidable suffering in life springs from our… ![“Most of the avoidable suffering in life springs from our attempts to escape the unavoidable suffering inherent in the fragmentary nature of our present existence. We expect immortal satisfactions from mortal conditions, and lasting and perfect happiness in the midst of universal change. To…” quote by Hugh Kingsmill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/452/hugh-kingsmill-30142_action_most-of-the-avoidable-suffering-in-life_2501633.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/452/hugh-kingsmill-30142_action_most-of-the-avoidable-suffering-in-life_2501633.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/452/hugh-kingsmill-30142_action_most-of-the-avoidable-suffering-in-life_2501633.jpg) > “Most of the avoidable suffering in life springs from our attempts to escape the unavoidable suffering inherent in the fragmentary nature of our present existence. We expect immortal satisfactions from mortal conditions, and lasting and perfect happiness in the midst of universal change. To encourage this expectation, to persuade mankind that the ideal is realizable in this world, after a few preliminary changes in external conditions, is the distinguishing mark of all charlatans, whether in thought or action.” [Hugh Kingsmill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-kingsmill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We suffer because we try to avoid inevitable pain, seeking perfect happiness in a changing world, which charlatans exploit. **In simple terms:** Avoiding inevitable pain creates more suffering. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection and change. Themes suffering expectations impermanence Mood reflective somber Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - mental health - spiritual practice - relationship counseling Key Concepts existentialism psychology illusion Questions to Reflect On - How do you cope with unavoidable discomfort? - What expectations cause you the most distress? A Different Perspective Idealizing perfect happiness ignores reality and can lead to disappointment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Mortals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortals/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Perfect happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfect-happiness/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Satisfaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfaction/) [Spring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spring/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Suffering In Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering-in-life/) [Sufferings in life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufferings-in-life/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“Instead of the greatest happiness for the greatest number, one should demand, more modestly, the least amount of avoidable suffering for all; and further,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-r-popper/instead-of-the-greatest-happiness-for-the-greatest-number-one-should/) [Karl R. 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There are times of great joy, love, triumph, and delight, moments when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-walsh/life-contains-inevitable-difficulties-life-is-not-only-short-but/) [Roger Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-walsh/) > [Blindness to suffering is an inherent consequence of natural selection. Nature is neither kind nor cruel but indifferent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/blindness-to-suffering-is-an-inherent-consequence-of-natural/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“There must be, and, if we are honest, there always will be at least one situation in our lives that we cannot fix, control,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/there-must-be-and-if-we-are-honest-there-always-will-be-at-least-one/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [Pain is unavoidable but suffering is optional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/pain-is-unavoidable-but-suffering-is-optional/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Pain is unavoidable ~ suffering is optional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/pain-is-unavoidable-suffering-is-optional/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We get sufferings in life so that we become sober and listen to Krishna's message.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/we-get-sufferings-in-life-so-that-we-become-sober-and-listen-to/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [If God gives you an abundant harvest of trials, it is a sign of great holiness which He desires you to attain. Do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-god-gives-you-an-abundant-harvest-of-trials-it-is-a-sign-of-great/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Our scars reveal who we are. 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