--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Much of your pain is self-chosen." description: "\"Much of your pain is self-chosen.\" — Khalil Gibran" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/khalil-gibran-286_adversity_much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-2495716_2495716.jpg" --- # Much of your pain is self-chosen. ![“Much of your pain is self-chosen.” quote by Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/khalil-gibran-286_adversity_much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-2495716_2495716.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/khalil-gibran-286_adversity_much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-2495716_2495716.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/khalil-gibran-286_adversity_much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-2495716_2495716.jpg) > “Much of your pain is self-chosen.” [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Much of our suffering is a result of choices we make ourselves. **In simple terms:** We often choose our own pain. Key Takeaway Recognize and change self‑inflicted suffering. Themes pain choice self‑responsibility growth Mood reflective empathetic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - relationship counseling - personal development - habit change - stress management Key Concepts Existentialism psychology spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What choices lead to your current suffering? - Can you let go of self‑imposed pain? A Different Perspective May overlook external factors causing pain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [“Much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-it-is-the-bitter-potion-by-which-the/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [You must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/you-must-find-time-for-reading-or-surrender-yourself-to-self-chosen/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [“Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/your-pain-is-the-breaking-of-the-shell-that-encloses-your-6/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore trust the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-it-is-the-bitter-potion-by-which-the-2/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief. Much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/and-you-would-watch-with-serenity-through-the-winters-of-your-grief/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [The more I thought to myself, 'Are my thoughts right, am I being obedient enough?' the worse it was... one of the most painful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/the-more-i-thought-to-myself-are-my-thoughts-right-am-i-being/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [“People in pain can be very self-destructive. And sometimes they pull in the people who are close to them, often without realizing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-barnard/people-in-pain-can-be-very-self-destructive-and-sometimes-they-pull/) [Sara Barnard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-barnard/) > [You see my scars but not my fresh cuts..No because they are covered..and I don't want you to see how much pain I'm really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megannn/you-see-my-scars-but-not-my-fresh-cuts-no-because-they-are-covered/) Megannn > [We are male and female. We are artists, athletes, students, and business owners. We have depression, DID, PTSD, eating disorders, borderline personalities, bipolar disorder,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-are-male-and-female-we-are-artists-athletes-students-and-business/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It is growing up different. It is extreme hypersensitivity. It is a bottomless pit of feeling you're failing, but three days later, you feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-is-growing-up-different-it-is-extreme-hypersensitivity-it-is-a/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [FALSE TEARS bring pain to the ones around you, but FALSE SMILES brings pain to one self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/false-tears-bring-pain-to-the-ones-around-you-but-false-smiles-brings/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Emotional pain is also self-inflicted. It will remain with you until you reclaim the infinite power within. You need to be constantly mindful, expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-rangel-gerry-o-malley/emotional-pain-is-also-self-inflicted-it-will-remain-with-you-until/) [Ana Rangel & Gerry O'malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-rangel-gerry-o-malley/) > [I really need to stop pushing away those who try to help me & forget about those who just bring so much pain to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-really-need-to-stop-pushing-away-those-who-try-to-help-me-forget/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We who are like senseless children shrink from suffering, but love its causes. We hurt ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted! Why should others be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/we-who-are-like-senseless-children-shrink-from-suffering-but-love-its/) [Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/) > [“The meeting started, and I could barely listen for my self-mortification. I wanted the hour to end so I could ask her what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-lynch/the-meeting-started-and-i-could-barely-listen-for-my-self/) [Jane Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-lynch/) ## More by Khalil Gibran > [Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/your-pain-is-the-breaking-of-the-shell-that-encloses-your/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [If you are poor, shun association with him who measures men with the yardstick of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/if-you-are-poor-shun-association-with-him-who-measures-men-with-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Hate is a dead thing. Who of you would be a tomb?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/hate-is-a-dead-thing-who-of-you-would-be-a-tomb/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [The truly just is he who feels half guilty of your misdeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-truly-just-is-he-who-feels-half-guilty-of-your-misdeeds/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“follow the steps trust them and yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/follow-the-steps-trust-them-and-yourself/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, But rather a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/beauty-is-not-a-need-but-an-ecstasy-it-is-not-a-mouth-thirsting-nor/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [I have never agreed with my other self wholly. The truth of the matter seems to lie between us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/i-have-never-agreed-with-my-other-self-wholly-the-truth-of-the-matter/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/that-which-sings-and-contemplates-in-you-is-still-dwelling-within-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might also pray in the fullness of your joy and in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/you-pray-in-your-distress-and-in-your-need-would-that-you-might-also/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“The veil that clouds your eyes shall be lifted by the hands that wove it, And the clay that fills your ears shall be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-veil-that-clouds-your-eyes-shall-be-lifted-by-the-hands-that-wove/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/work-is-love-made-visible-and-if-you-cannot-work-with-love-but-only/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [joy and sorrow are inseparable. . . together they come and when one sits alone with you . . remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/joy-and-sorrow-are-inseparable-together-they-come-and-when-one-sits/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Like the ocean is your god-self; It remains for ever undefiled. And like the ether it lifts but the winged. Even like the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/like-the-ocean-is-your-god-self-it-remains-for-ever-undefiled-and/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) [Explore all 688 Khalil Gibran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## More Adversity quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [When we have public success we also have private struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/when-we-have-public-success-we-also-have-private-struggles/) [Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/) > [“The threats that resurfaced in the past 10 years were not an aberration. Al Qaeda and terrorism or one such threat, but it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/the-threats-that-resurfaced-in-the-past-10-years-were-not-an/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [“Every adversity is just another opportunity to excel a little more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-templet/every-adversity-is-just-another-opportunity-to-excel-a-little-more/) [Michel Templet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-templet/) > [“Just because she doesn't talk about it, doesn't mean she isn't feeling it. She hurts, but she won't wear it on her sleeve. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfa-h/just-because-she-doesn-t-talk-about-it-doesn-t-mean-she-isn-t-feeling/) [Alfa H](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfa-h/) > [Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/every-trial-endured-and-weathered-in-the-right-spirit-makes-a-soul/) James Buckham Kennedy > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [“Struggles are not associated to a particular people or creed, everyone struggles, not for the same reasons, but each has a personal struggle at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/struggles-are-not-associated-to-a-particular-people-or-creed-everyone/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [“Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/watch-a-man-in-times-of-adversity-to-discover-what-kind-of-man-he-is/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [“Life is not about less mistakes but about more trials”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-sever/life-is-not-about-less-mistakes-but-about-more-trials/) S.E. SEVER > [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-everything-feels-like-an-uphill-struggle-just-think-of-the-view/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 5,001 Adversity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Much of your pain is self-chosen.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Khalil Gibran" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adversity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/khalil-gibran-286_adversity_much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-2495716_2495716.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/khalil-gibran-286_adversity_much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-2495716_2495716.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21d/khalil-gibran-286_adversity_much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen-2495716_2495716.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Much of your pain is self-chosen.” — Khalil Gibran", "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": "Khalil Gibran", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Much of your pain is self-chosen.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/much-of-your-pain-is-self-chosen/#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 } } ] } ```