--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are two kinds of sufferers in this…" description: "\"“There are two kinds of sufferers in this world: those who suffer from a lack of life and those who suffer from an overabundance of life. I’ve always f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/louis-mackey-57645_animal-behavior_there-are-two-kinds-of-sufferers-in-this_1598521.jpg" --- # There are two kinds of sufferers in this world: those who… ![“There are two kinds of sufferers in this world: those who suffer from a lack of life and those who suffer from an overabundance of life. I’ve always found myself in the second category. When you come to think of it, almost all human behavior and activity is not essentially any different from…” quote by Louis Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/louis-mackey-57645_animal-behavior_there-are-two-kinds-of-sufferers-in-this_1598521.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/louis-mackey-57645_animal-behavior_there-are-two-kinds-of-sufferers-in-this_1598521.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73f/louis-mackey-57645_animal-behavior_there-are-two-kinds-of-sufferers-in-this_1598521.jpg) > ““There are two kinds of sufferers in this world: those who suffer from a lack of life and those who suffer from an overabundance of life. I’ve always found myself in the second category. When you come to think of it, almost all human behavior and activity is not essentially any different from animal behavior. The most advanced technologies and craftsmanship bring us, at best, up to the super-chimpanzee level. Actually, the gap between, say, Plato or Nietzsche and the average human is greater than the gap between that chimpanzee and the average human. The realm of the real spirit, the true artist, the saint, the philosopher, is rarely achieved. Why so few? Why is world history and evolution not stories of progress but rather this endless and futile addition of zeroes. No greater values have developed. Hell, the Greeks 3,000 years ago were just as advanced as we are. So what are these barriers that keep people from reaching anywhere near their real potential? The answer to that can be found in another question, and that’s this: Which is the most universal human characteristic – fear or laziness?”” [Louis Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-mackey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human beings oscillate between lacking purpose and being overwhelmed, yet true higher spirit remains rare due to fear or laziness. **In simple terms:** People either feel empty or overloaded, but fear and laziness block true potential. Key Takeaway Overcome fear and laziness to unlock potential. Themes existential psychology potential human nature Mood contemplative inquisitive Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career choice - creative projects - personal development - education - spiritual practice Key Concepts selfactualization motivation philosophical inquiry Questions to Reflect On - What drives you more: fear or laziness? - How can you cultivate the “real spirit” in daily life? A Different Perspective Fear and laziness are not the only barriers; societal structures also limit growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal-behavior/) [Human behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-behavior/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nietzsche/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [True artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-artist/) [Waking life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waking-life/) [World history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-history/) ## Related quotes > [Which is the most universal human characteristic: Fear or laziness?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-mackey/which-is-the-most-universal-human-characteristic-fear-or-laziness/) [Louis Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-mackey/) > [“Actually, the gap between say Plato or Nietzsche and the average human is greater than the gap between that chimpanzee and the average human.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-mackey/actually-the-gap-between-say-plato-or-nietzsche-and-the-average-human/) [Louis Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-mackey/) > [The imagination made us human, but being human, becoming more human, is a greater burden than we imagined. 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In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/where-after-all-do-universal-human-rights-begin-in-small-places-close-2/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [“One aim of my field is to relativize the images possessed by individuals, discover in these images the factors universal to all human beings,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/one-aim-of-my-field-is-to-relativize-the-images-possessed-by/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) ## More by Louis Mackey > [“Actually, the gap between say Plato or Nietzsche and the average human is greater than the gap between that chimpanzee and the average human.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-mackey/actually-the-gap-between-say-plato-or-nietzsche-and-the-average-human/) [Louis Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-mackey/) > [There are two types of sufferers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-mackey/there-are-two-types-of-sufferers/) [Louis Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-mackey/) > [The secular university is scandalized by the claims of revelation. Those who have, for whatever historical reasons, become seekers-on-principle, cannot tolerate the allegation that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-mackey/the-secular-university-is-scandalized-by-the-claims-of-revelation/) [Louis Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-mackey/) > [What are these barriers that keep people from reaching anywhere near their real potential? 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The most advanced technologies and craftsmanship bring us, at best, up to the super-chimpanzee level. Actually, the gap between, say, Plato or Nietzsche and the average human is greater than the gap between that chimpanzee and the average human. The realm of the real spirit, the true artist, the saint, the philosopher, is rarely achieved. Why so few? Why is world history and evolution not stories of progress but rather this endless and futile addition of zeroes. No greater values have developed. Hell, the Greeks 3,000 years ago were just as advanced as we are. So what are these barriers that keep people from reaching anywhere near their real potential? 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