Ancient Quote by Jonathan Haidt
“I think that we are passionate creatures who really live our fullest life when we are deeply engaged, when we feel successes, and exult in them, when we feel losses and tragedies and are hurt by them. So I came to the conclusion that Eastern ideas of withdrawal may not be right for modern Westerners. If you read the ancient texts, they're pretty severe. I mean, they really are not the sort of thing that you would think compatible with really throwing yourself into life and being a part of it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Righteous Mind, 2012
Passionate engagement, both in success and suffering, is essential; withdrawal ideas may not suit modern Westerners seeking full participation in life.
In simple terms: Full engagement, not withdrawal, leads to a rich life.
Key Takeaway
Embrace both joy and pain.
Themes
psychology
culture
well‑being
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- therapy
- education
- community building
Key Concepts
existentialism
emotional intelligence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance engagement with self‑care?
- When is withdrawal beneficial?
A Different Perspective
Some may find withdrawal necessary for mental health.
![“I have argued elsewhere (Fighting Words: The Origins of Religious Violence [2005]) that we need to treat ethics in biblical texts just as we treat ethics in any other works of ancient literature. It is a vacuous exercise to pick and choose which atrocities were really ordained by any gods and…” quote by Hector Avalos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/hector-avalos-91785_ancient-literature_i-have-argued-elsewhere-fighting-words-t_2573037.jpg)
