Action Quote by Jean-Paul Sartre
““There is no reality except in action. Man is nothing else than his plan; he exists only to the extent that he fulfills himself; he is therefore nothing else than the ensemble of his acts, nothing else than his life.””
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Essay: Existentialism is a Humanism, 1946
Existence precedes essence; identity is defined by actions and the fulfillment of one's plans.
In simple terms: We are what we do.
Key Takeaway
Act purposefully to shape your identity.
Themes
existentialism
agency
identity
purpose
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career choices
- personal projects
- relationships
- volunteering
Key Concepts
philosophy
self-determination
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions define you?
- Can you change your path through new choices?
A Different Perspective
May overlook structural constraints on freedom.
![“[Stéphane Mallarmé] theory of the hermetic is a mistake, but he can be only difficult to read when he has difficult things to say.” quote by Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/35f/jean-paul-sartre-220_difficult_st-phane-mallarm-theory-of-the-hermetic_20348.jpg)
