Human existence Quote by Lionel Trilling
““Our culture tends "to regard the mere energy of impulse as being in every mental and moral way equivalent and even superior to defined intention." Instead we should consider "an idea that once was salient in western culture: the idea of "making a life", by which was meant conceiving human existence, one's own or another's, as if it were a work of art upon which one might pass judgment… This desire to fashion, to shape, a self and a life has all but gone from a contemporary culture whose emphasis, paradoxically enough, is so much on self.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Culture of the Modern Self” (1955)
Modern culture overvalues impulsive energy and neglects deliberate, artistic self‑creation, reducing life to mere reaction.
In simple terms: We focus on impulses, forgetting life can be an art we shape.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate intentional, artistic self‑design.
Themes
culture
self‑creation
intentionality
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- education
- creative professions
- mental health
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
artistic living
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to make a life an artwork?
- How can intentional design improve well‑being?
A Different Perspective
Impulse alone can lead to aimlessness.
