--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The ultimate aim of the quest must be…" description: "\"The ultimate aim of the quest must be neither release nor ecstasy for oneself, but the wisdom and the power to serve others.\" — Joseph Campbell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d5/joseph-campbell-300_adventure_the-ultimate-aim-of-the-quest-must-be-ne_2737124.png" --- # The ultimate aim of the quest must be neither release nor… ![“The ultimate aim of the quest must be neither release nor ecstasy for oneself, but the wisdom and the power to serve others.” quote by Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d5/joseph-campbell-300_adventure_the-ultimate-aim-of-the-quest-must-be-ne_2737124.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d5/joseph-campbell-300_adventure_the-ultimate-aim-of-the-quest-must-be-ne_2737124.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d5/joseph-campbell-300_adventure_the-ultimate-aim-of-the-quest-must-be-ne_2737124.png) > “The ultimate aim of the quest must be neither release nor ecstasy for oneself, but the wisdom and the power to serve others.” [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. The true purpose of a quest is to gain wisdom and power for serving others, not personal pleasure or release. **In simple terms:** Serve others, not self. Key Takeaway Pursue purpose beyond self‑gratification. Themes service wisdom purpose Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - leadership - volunteering - personal development Key Concepts self‑transcendence altruism growth Questions to Reflect On - How can you use your gifts for others? - What does service mean to you? A Different Perspective Self‑service can undermine true service. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Deep thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-thought/) [Ecstasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ecstasy/) [Quest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quest/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Forgiveness from others is charity; from God, grace; from oneself, wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/forgiveness-from-others-is-charity-from-god-grace-from-oneself-wisdom/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [“The ultimate aim of all love affairs ... is more important than all other aims in man's life; and therefore it is quite worthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/the-ultimate-aim-of-all-love-affairs-is-more-important-than-all-other/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [My ultimate aim is to make euthanasia a positive experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kevorkian/my-ultimate-aim-is-to-make-euthanasia-a-positive-experience/) [Jack Kevorkian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kevorkian/) > [The ultimate aim of the ego is not to see something, but to be something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-iqbal/the-ultimate-aim-of-the-ego-is-not-to-see-something-but-to-be/) [Muhammad Iqbal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-iqbal/) > [Concentrate on your goals. Do not allow other thoughts to enter your mind. If you allow them to, other things could take your concentration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/concentrate-on-your-goals-do-not-allow-other-thoughts-to-enter-your/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [Genuine inner freedom is the ultimate aim of life. It is the unspoken goal of every thought you have and every action you take.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-simon/genuine-inner-freedom-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-life-it-is-the-unspoken/) [David Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-simon/) > [The ultimate aim of all creative activity is the building!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-gropius/the-ultimate-aim-of-all-creative-activity-is-the-building/) [Walter Gropius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-gropius/) > [There is no greater fallacy than the belief that aims and purposes are one thing, while methods and tactics are another ... All human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/there-is-no-greater-fallacy-than-the-belief-that-aims-and-purposes/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [The ultimate aim in life should be to fulfill to the utmost all that within our ability and to share that which is good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yehudi-menuhin/the-ultimate-aim-in-life-should-be-to-fulfill-to-the-utmost-all-that/) [Yehudi Menuhin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yehudi-menuhin/) > [I believe the ultimate aim of all human beings is to obtain happiness and a sense of fulfillment... I have always stressed the importance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-believe-the-ultimate-aim-of-all-human-beings-is-to-obtain-happiness/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [My only ultimate aim is to bring back the lost glory of Indian hockey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandeep-singh/my-only-ultimate-aim-is-to-bring-back-the-lost-glory-of-indian-hockey/) [Sandeep Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandeep-singh/) > [Our ultimate aim in life is not to be healthy, wealthy, prosperous, or problem free. Our ultimate aim in life is to bring glory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-graham-lotz/our-ultimate-aim-in-life-is-not-to-be-healthy-wealthy-prosperous-or/) [Anne Graham Lotz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-graham-lotz/) > [Yoga's ultimate intent is to achieve something far deeper and more meaningful than just a better body or less stress and tension. Its ultimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stryker/yoga-s-ultimate-intent-is-to-achieve-something-far-deeper-and-more/) [Rod Stryker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stryker/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [“The ultimate aim of reality is to become science fiction!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-of-kittim/the-ultimate-aim-of-reality-is-to-become-science-fiction/) [Eli Of Kittim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-of-kittim/) ## More by Joseph Campbell > [If a person does not listen to the demands of their own spiritual and heart life and insists on a certain program, you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/if-a-person-does-not-listen-to-the-demands-of-their-own-spiritual-and/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [The last act in the biography of the hero is that of the death or departure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-last-act-in-the-biography-of-the-hero-is-that-of-the-death-or/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-privilege-of-a-lifetime-is-being-who-you-are/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [The eternal principle, which never was born, never will die: it is in all things: it is in you now. You are the wave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-eternal-principle-which-never-was-born-never-will-die-it-is-in/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [How do you find the divine power in yourself? The word enthusiasm means 'filled with a god,' so what makes you enthusiastic? Follow it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/how-do-you-find-the-divine-power-in-yourself-the-word-enthusiasm/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [What we're learning in our schools is not the wisdom of life. We're learning technologies, we're getting information. There's a curious reluctance on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/what-we-re-learning-in-our-schools-is-not-the-wisdom-of-life-we-re/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [ The fall \[of your soul\] from perfection into duality...was naturally followed by the discovery of the duality of good and evil...This is the Biblical… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-fall-of-your-soul-from-perfection-into-duality-was-naturally/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [So that's what destiny is: simply the fulfillment of the potentialites of the energies in your own system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/so-that-s-what-destiny-is-simply-the-fulfillment-of-the-potentialites/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [Your ego is your embodiment and your self is your potentiality and that's what you listen to when you listen for the voice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/your-ego-is-your-embodiment-and-your-self-is-your-potentiality-and/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [When you follow your bliss a kind of track opens up, that's always been there, waiting for you. And the life that you should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/when-you-follow-your-bliss-a-kind-of-track-opens-up-that-s-always/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [The best we can do is lean towards the light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-best-we-can-do-is-lean-towards-the-light/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [I think of mythology as the homeland of the muses, the inspirers of art, the inspirers of poetry. To see life as a poem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/i-think-of-mythology-as-the-homeland-of-the-muses-the-inspirers-of/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [When you are falling --- Dive!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/when-you-are-falling-dive/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [We're all seeking...the rapture of being alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/we-re-all-seeking-the-rapture-of-being-alive/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [Both the artist and the lover know that perfection is not loveable. It is the clumsiness of a fault that makes a person lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/both-the-artist-and-the-lover-know-that-perfection-is-not-loveable-it/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) [Explore all 711 Joseph Campbell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) ## More Adventure quotes > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/) [Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) Jessica Yu > [“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/so-many-people-live-within-unhappy-circumstances-and-yet-will-not/) Alexander Supertramp Chris McCandless > [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/) [Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/) > [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/) [Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/) > [As an adventurer...I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/as-an-adventurer-i-try-to-protect-against-the-downside-i-make-sure-i/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [“Love can give you such happiness, then can break the very heart it filled, leaving a hole that can never be fixed or protected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mcleod/love-can-give-you-such-happiness-then-can-break-the-very-heart-it/) Kevin McLeod > [“It always gave Wolf a peculiar thrill thus to tighten his grip upon his stick, thus to wrap himself more closely in his faded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cowper-powys/it-always-gave-wolf-a-peculiar-thrill-thus-to-tighten-his-grip-upon/) [John Cowper Powys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cowper-powys/) > [“It all had to be squeezed and squeezed again, to provide a thrill, to provide enjoyment. What did people mean, with their simply determined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence-2/it-all-had-to-be-squeezed-and-squeezed-again-to-provide-a-thrill-to/) [D.H. 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