--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The good life is not found in dreams of…" description: "\"“The good life is not found in dreams of progress,but in coping with tragic contingencies.We have been reared on religions and philosophies that deny t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68d/john-gray-4628_dreams_the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of_139202.jpg" --- # The good life is not found in dreams of progress,but in… ![“The good life is not found in dreams of progress,but in coping with tragic contingencies.We have been reared on religions and philosophies that deny the experience of tragedy.Can we imagine a life that is not founded on the consolations of action?Or are we too lax and coarse even to dream of…” quote by John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68d/john-gray-4628_dreams_the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of_139202.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68d/john-gray-4628_dreams_the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of_139202.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68d/john-gray-4628_dreams_the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of_139202.jpg) > ““The good life is not found in dreams of progress,but in coping with tragic contingencies.We have been reared on religions and philosophies that deny the experience of tragedy.Can we imagine a life that is not founded on the consolations of action?Or are we too lax and coarse even to dream of living without them?”” [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The good life isn’t about progress dreams but coping with tragedy; religions deny tragedy, yet we must imagine life without consolations of action. **In simple terms:** Life requires coping with tragedy, not just progress. Key Takeaway Accept tragedy, seek meaning beyond action. Themes philosophy tragedy meaning religion Mood somber thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - spiritual practice - counseling Key Concepts existentialism ethics Questions to Reflect On - Can we find purpose without action? - How does tragedy shape our values? A Different Perspective Some may find meaning in action despite tragedy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Good life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [Life itself must be founded upon the infinite possibility for choice and accident. 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But an unwavering and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/in-dreams-we-see-ourselves-naked-and-acting-out-our-real-characters/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More by John Gray > [“The success of a relationship is solely dependent on two factors: a man's ability to listen lovingly and respectfully to a woman's feelings, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/the-success-of-a-relationship-is-solely-dependent-on-two-factors-a/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [“Men and women arguing in this way hurt not only their feelings but also their relationship. Just as communication is the most important element…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/men-and-women-arguing-in-this-way-hurt-not-only-their-feelings-but/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [Just as a man is fulfilled through working out the intricate details of solving a problem, a woman is fulfilled through talking about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/just-as-a-man-is-fulfilled-through-working-out-the-intricate-details/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [“The calls of birds and the traces left by wolves to mark off their territories are no less forms of language than the sings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/the-calls-of-birds-and-the-traces-left-by-wolves-to-mark-off-their/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [To offer a man unsolicited advice is to presume that he doesn't know what to do or that he can't do it on his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/to-offer-a-man-unsolicited-advice-is-to-presume-that-he-doesn-t-know/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [We mistakenly assume that if our partners love us they will react and behave in certain ways - the ways we react and behave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/we-mistakenly-assume-that-if-our-partners-love-us-they-will-react-and/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [“We think our actions express our decisions. But in nearly all of our life, willing decides nothing. We cannot wake up or fall asleep,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/we-think-our-actions-express-our-decisions-but-in-nearly-all-of-our/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [“Life was indeed cruel; but it was better to glorify the Will than deny it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/life-was-indeed-cruel-but-it-was-better-to-glorify-the-will-than-deny/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [That love motivates you to cooperate, respect, appreciate, cherish, and admire that person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/that-love-motivates-you-to-cooperate-respect-appreciate-cherish-and/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [“Although feelings of attraction are automatic, in order to sustain attraction in a personal relationship we must also be skillful in presenting ourselves in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/although-feelings-of-attraction-are-automatic-in-order-to-sustain/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [When men and women are able to respect and accept their differences then love has a chance to blossom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/when-men-and-women-are-able-to-respect-and-accept-their-differences/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [“If there is anything unique about the human animal, it is that it has the ability to grow knowledge at an accelerating rate while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/if-there-is-anything-unique-about-the-human-animal-it-is-that-it-has/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [To love someone is to acknowledge the goodness of who they are. Through loving a person we awaken their awareness of their own innate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/to-love-someone-is-to-acknowledge-the-goodness-of-who-they-are/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [“Today we have made a fetish of choice; but a chosen death is forbidden. Perhaps what distinguishes humans from other animals is that humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/today-we-have-made-a-fetish-of-choice-but-a-chosen-death-is-forbidden/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [When a man loves a woman, periodically he needs to pull away before he can get closer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/when-a-man-loves-a-woman-periodically-he-needs-to-pull-away-before-he/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) [Explore all 104 John Gray quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) ## More Dreams quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/) [Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/) > [“Now you’re wet. You’re so wet you’re leaking down your ass. You’re soaking my pillow. I don’t think I’m ever washing it. I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-stoker/now-you-re-wet-you-re-so-wet-you-re-leaking-down-your-ass-you-re/) [Susan Stoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-stoker/) > [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/) [Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/) > [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/) [Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/) [Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [As far as Im concerned, I didnt dream - ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-sturgeon/as-far-as-im-concerned-i-didnt-dream-ever/) [Theodore Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-sturgeon/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Sometimes life seems like a dream, especially when I look down and see that I forgot to put on my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-life-seems-like-a-dream-especially-when-i-look-down-and-see/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“I had a dream. I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 40,599 Dreams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The good life is not found in dreams of progress,but in coping with tragic contingencies.We have been reared on religions and philosophies that deny the experience of tragedy.Can we imagine a life that is not founded on the consolations of action?Or are we too lax and coarse even to dream of living without them?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Gray" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of-progress-but-in-coping-with/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dreams" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of-progress-but-in-coping-with/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68d/john-gray-4628_dreams_the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of_139202.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68d/john-gray-4628_dreams_the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of_139202.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68d/john-gray-4628_dreams_the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of_139202.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The good life is not found in dreams of progress,but in coping with tragic contingencies.We have been reared…” — John Gray", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Gray", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The good life is not found...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of-progress-but-in-coping-with/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/the-good-life-is-not-found-in-dreams-of-progress-but-in-coping-with/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```