--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We long for experiences “of profound…" description: "\"“We long for experiences “of profound connection with others,” he writes, “of deep understanding of natural phenomena, of love, of being profoundly mov..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b1/jennifer-senior-12574_ancient-greek_we-long-for-experiences-of-profound-conn_2910437.jpg" --- # We long for experiences “of profound connection with… ![“We long for experiences “of profound connection with others,” he writes, “of deep understanding of natural phenomena, of love, of being profoundly moved by music or tragedy, or doing something new and innovative.” Just as important, we long for esteem and pride, “a self that happiness is a fitting…” quote by Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b1/jennifer-senior-12574_ancient-greek_we-long-for-experiences-of-profound-conn_2910437.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b1/jennifer-senior-12574_ancient-greek_we-long-for-experiences-of-profound-conn_2910437.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b1/jennifer-senior-12574_ancient-greek_we-long-for-experiences-of-profound-conn_2910437.jpg) > ““We long for experiences “of profound connection with others,” he writes, “of deep understanding of natural phenomena, of love, of being profoundly moved by music or tragedy, or doing something new and innovative.” Just as important, we long for esteem and pride, “a self that happiness is a fitting response to.” Implicit in Nozick’s experiment is the idea that happiness should be a by-product, not a goal. Many of the ancient Greeks believed the same. To Aristotle, eudaimonia (roughly translated as “flourishing”) meant doing something productive. Happiness could only be achieved through exploiting our strengths and our potential. To be happy, one must do, not just feel.”” [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True fulfillment comes from meaningful engagement, connection, and using one’s strengths, not merely feeling good. **In simple terms:** Happiness is a by‑product of purposeful action and deep relationships. Key Takeaway Seek purpose, not pleasure. Themes meaning connection purpose flourishing strengths Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career development - creative projects - community service - learning new skills - artistic expression Key Concepts eudaimonia self‑actualization intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - What activities make you feel most alive? - How can you turn relationships into sources of growth? A Different Perspective Happiness alone does not guarantee lasting satisfaction without purpose. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancient greek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient-greek/) [Aristotle Eudaimonia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristotle-eudaimonia-1693510/) [Connection With Others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connection-with-others/) [Flourishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flourishing/) [Flourishing Meant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flourishing-meant-4188470/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Productive Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productive-happiness-2657926/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Translated Flourishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/translated-flourishing-4188471/) ## Related quotes > [“To Aristotle, eudaimonia is not a fleeting positive emotion. Rather, it is something you do. Leading a eudaimonic life, Aristotle argued, requires cultivating the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-esfahani-smith/to-aristotle-eudaimonia-is-not-a-fleeting-positive-emotion-rather-it/) [Emily Esfahani Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-esfahani-smith/) > [Happiness is the harvest of a quiet mind. Anchor your thoughts on peace, poise, security and divine guidance and your mind will be productive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/happiness-is-the-harvest-of-a-quiet-mind-anchor-your-thoughts-on/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Sins of commission are far more productive of happiness than the sins of omission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myrtle-reed/sins-of-commission-are-far-more-productive-of-happiness-than-the-sins/) [Myrtle Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myrtle-reed/) > [I've always wanted to do characters that would help me find my connection with others and connect all of us together. You always want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forest-whitaker/i-ve-always-wanted-to-do-characters-that-would-help-me-find-my/) [Forest Whitaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forest-whitaker/) > [“Focusing on positivity alone doesn't leave much room for the full range of emotions that enrich the human experience (and make having a connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-pitcher/focusing-on-positivity-alone-doesn-t-leave-much-room-for-the-full/) [Laura Pitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-pitcher/) > [“Was it possible to find recompense, meaning, connection with others amidst the mess and the muddle ?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-buchan/was-it-possible-to-find-recompense-meaning-connection-with-others/) [Elizabeth Buchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-buchan/) > [Because connection with others and our "best self" is the most primal need we have, shame feels absolutely awful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-northrup/because-connection-with-others-and-our-best-self-is-the-most-primal/) [Christiane Northrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-northrup/) > [Given the scale of life in the cosmos, one human life is no more than a tiny blip. Each one of us is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/given-the-scale-of-life-in-the-cosmos-one-human-life-is-no-more-than/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What a lot of people use the internet for is really about meeting their attachment needs. So on Facebook, what do people seek? They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/what-a-lot-of-people-use-the-internet-for-is-really-about-meeting/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [When you're in touch with your heart, you feel a connection with others and you have access to your wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristine-carlson/when-you-re-in-touch-with-your-heart-you-feel-a-connection-with/) [Kristine Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristine-carlson/) > [Family is pivotal, beyond the immediate family is the family of mankind. Connection with others, the need to feel others as a part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kishore-bansal/family-is-pivotal-beyond-the-immediate-family-is-the-family-of/) [Kishore Bansal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kishore-bansal/) > [Experience your loving connection with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/experience-your-loving-connection-with-others/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Through words we come to know the other person--and to be known. This knowing is at the heart of our deepest longings for intimacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-lerner/through-words-we-come-to-know-the-other-person-and-to-be-known-this/) [Harriet Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-lerner/) > [I saw that my camera gave me a sense of connection with others that I never had before. It allowed me to enter lives,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ellen-mark/i-saw-that-my-camera-gave-me-a-sense-of-connection-with-others-that-i/) [Mary Ellen Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ellen-mark/) > [“When we settle we sacrifice ourselves, and in doing this we hurt our authentic connection with others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-kaiser/when-we-settle-we-sacrifice-ourselves-and-in-doing-this-we-hurt-our/) [Shannon Kaiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-kaiser/) ## More by Jennifer Senior > [“SOME OF THE HARDEST parts of parenting never change—like sleep deprivation, which, according to researchers at Queen’s University in Ontario, can in some respects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/some-of-the-hardest-parts-of-parenting-never-change-like-sleep/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“Dying, in other words — like combat, like becoming a parent, like any transformative life event — doesn’t always reveal or intensify aspects of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/dying-in-other-words-like-combat-like-becoming-a-parent-like-any/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“Our stories may not always be pleasant as they’re being lived. They can in fact be just the opposite, acquiring a warm hue only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/our-stories-may-not-always-be-pleasant-as-they-re-being-lived-they/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“As parents, we sometimes mistakenly assume that things were always this way. They weren't. The modern family is just that - modern - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/as-parents-we-sometimes-mistakenly-assume-that-things-were-always/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“More than almost anything else, the experience of parenthood exposes the gulf between our experiencing and remembering selves. Our experiencing selves tell researchers that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/more-than-almost-anything-else-the-experience-of-parenthood-exposes/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“But the truth is, there's little even the most organized people can do to prepare themselves for having children. They can buy all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/but-the-truth-is-there-s-little-even-the-most-organized-people-can-do/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“THE SENTIMENTALIZATION OF CHILDHOOD has produced a great many paradoxes. The most curious, however, may be that children have acquired more and more stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/the-sentimentalization-of-childhood-has-produced-a-great-many/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“In that same lecture, Kahneman confessed that the outsize power of the remembering self mystified him. “Why do we put so much weight on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/in-that-same-lecture-kahneman-confessed-that-the-outsize-power-of-the/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“But these gains in freedom for both men and women often seem like a triumph of subtraction rather than addition. Over time, writes Coontz,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/but-these-gains-in-freedom-for-both-men-and-women-often-seem-like-a/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“He just has to step away from the moment to see it. Which isn’t surprising. Lots of parents will tell you that when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/he-just-has-to-step-away-from-the-moment-to-see-it-which-isn-t/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“One could simply say it’s a legitimate fear-response, a reasonable and deeply internalized reaction to a shrinking economic pie.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/one-could-simply-say-it-s-a-legitimate-fear-response-a-reasonable-and/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“If one takes meaning into consideration, happiness might best be described as “a zest for life in all its complexity,” as Sissela Bok writes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/if-one-takes-meaning-into-consideration-happiness-might-best-be/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“Having worked so hard to have children, parents may feel it's only natural to expect happiness from the experience. And they'll find happiness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/having-worked-so-hard-to-have-children-parents-may-feel-it-s-only/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“That women bring home the bacon, fry it up, serve it for breakfast, and use its greasy remains to make candles for their children's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/that-women-bring-home-the-bacon-fry-it-up-serve-it-for-breakfast-and/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) > [“And if that’s the case—if we are our remembering selves—then it matters far less how we feel moment to moment with our children. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-senior/and-if-that-s-the-case-if-we-are-our-remembering-selves-then-it/) [Jennifer Senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) [Explore all 54 Jennifer Senior quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-senior/) ## More Ancient greek quotes > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [In all of Western civilization, there have been societies that celebrating the homosexuality, the ancient Greeks. But they, in fact, protected the institution of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-blackwell/in-all-of-western-civilization-there-have-been-societies-that/) [Ken Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-blackwell/) > [The ancient Greek philosophers were all natural-born dialecticians and Aristotle, the most encyclopaedic intellect among them, had even already analysed the most essential forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-engels/the-ancient-greek-philosophers-were-all-natural-born-dialecticians/) [Friedrich Engels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-engels/) > [“Greek women were not allowed to be: free and untamed. In fact, Artemis is a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/greek-women-were-not-allowed-to-be-free-and-untamed-in-fact-artemis/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [The ancient Greek oral poets all had this anxiety about the deficiencies of their memories and always began poems by praying to the Muse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-antin/the-ancient-greek-oral-poets-all-had-this-anxiety-about-the/) [David Antin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-antin/) > [“We will have have the dead at our councils. The ancient Greeks voted by stones; these shall vote by tombstones. It is all quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/we-will-have-have-the-dead-at-our-councils-the-ancient-greeks-voted/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [Again, if there are really no fairies, why do people believe in them, all over the world? The ancient Greeks believed, so did the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/again-if-there-are-really-no-fairies-why-do-people-believe-in-them/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [I believe in logic, the sequence of cause and effect, and in science its only begotten son our law, which was conceived by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-believe-in-logic-the-sequence-of-cause-and-effect-and-in-science/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom. ‘All men make mistakes,’ said the ancient Greek Sophocles. ‘But a good man yields…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-follett/tragedy-is-a-tool-for-the-living-to-gain-wisdom-all-men-make-mistakes/) [Ken Follett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-follett/) > [The ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full use of your powers along lines of excellence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-ancient-greek-definition-of-happiness-was-the-full-use-of-your/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [In some ways, Lotus Eaters is a journey disguised as a party film; there's a circus in the movie, and there are parties, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-mcguinness/in-some-ways-lotus-eaters-is-a-journey-disguised-as-a-party-film/) [Alexandra McGuinness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-mcguinness/) > [“Modern architects and engineers are still trying to understand how the ancient Greeks were able to build the Parthenon in ten years when the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dunn/modern-architects-and-engineers-are-still-trying-to-understand-how/) [Christopher Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dunn/) > [Nobody can say a word against Greek: it stamps a man at once as an educated gentlemen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/nobody-can-say-a-word-against-greek-it-stamps-a-man-at-once-as-an/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [“After he cut off their genitals, Chronos threw them into the sea, where they floated in a "white foam." Out of this foam‒or "Aphros”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/after-he-cut-off-their-genitals-chronos-threw-them-into-the-sea-where/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“One of its (civilisations) most powerful weapons has always been 'barbarity': 'we' know that 'we' are civilised by contrasting ourselves with those we deem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/one-of-its-civilisations-most-powerful-weapons-has-always-been/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) [Browse all 210 Ancient greek quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient-greek/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We long for experiences “of profound connection with others,” he writes, “of deep understanding of natural phenomena, of love, of being profoundly moved by music or tragedy, or doing something new and innovative.” Just as important, we long for esteem and pride, “a self that happiness is a fitting response to.” Implicit in Nozick’s experiment is the idea that happiness should be a by-product, not a goal. 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