--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Life is, in its very essence and…" description: "\"“Life is, in its very essence and character, a terrible mystery—this whole business of living by killing and eating. But it is a childish attitude to s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9d/joseph-campbell-300_business_life-is-in-its-very-essence-and-characte_1365906.png" --- # Life is, in its very essence and character, a terrible… ![“Life is, in its very essence and character, a terrible mystery—this whole business of living by killing and eating. But it is a childish attitude to say no to life with all its pain, to say that this is something that should not have been.” quote by Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9d/joseph-campbell-300_business_life-is-in-its-very-essence-and-characte_1365906.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9d/joseph-campbell-300_business_life-is-in-its-very-essence-and-characte_1365906.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9d/joseph-campbell-300_business_life-is-in-its-very-essence-and-characte_1365906.png) > ““Life is, in its very essence and character, a terrible mystery—this whole business of living by killing and eating. But it is a childish attitude to say no to life with all its pain, to say that this is something that should not have been.”” [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life’s inherent suffering and mortality are inevitable, yet rejecting them is immature. **In simple terms:** Accept life’s pain and mortality. Key Takeaway Embrace life fully despite suffering. Themes mortality human condition acceptance Mood reflective serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - grief counseling - medical ethics - personal growth - spiritual practice Key Concepts existentialism philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What does “saying no to life” look like? - How can we find meaning in pain? 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