--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not how the world is, but that it…" description: "\"“It's not how the world is, but that it is, that is cause for astonishment.”\" — Ludwig Wittgenstein" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/ludwig-wittgenstein-582_astonishment_it-s-not-how-the-world-is-but-that-it-is_521080.png" --- # It's not how the world is, but that it is, that is cause… ![“It's not how the world is, but that it is, that is cause for astonishment.” quote by Ludwig Wittgenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/ludwig-wittgenstein-582_astonishment_it-s-not-how-the-world-is-but-that-it-is_521080.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/ludwig-wittgenstein-582_astonishment_it-s-not-how-the-world-is-but-that-it-is_521080.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/ludwig-wittgenstein-582_astonishment_it-s-not-how-the-world-is-but-that-it-is_521080.png) > ““It's not how the world is, but that it is, that is cause for astonishment.”” [Ludwig Wittgenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-wittgenstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The world’s existence is not the source of wonder; rather, the fact that it exists at all provokes astonishment. **In simple terms:** Existence itself is astonishing. Key Takeaway Marvel at being. Themes existential wonder philosophy of being astonishment Mood thoughtful reflective philosophical Type existential inspirational When to use this quote - contemplation of reality - mindfulness - existential crisis - philosophical inquiry Key Concepts Metaphysics ontological reflection Questions to Reflect On - Why does mere existence amaze you? - How does this perspective affect daily gratitude? 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(Ethics and æsthetics are one.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-wittgenstein/it-is-clear-that-ethics-cannot-be-expressed-ethics-are-transcendental/) [Ludwig Wittgenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-wittgenstein/) [Explore all 454 Ludwig Wittgenstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-wittgenstein/) ## More Astonishment quotes > [“A writer lives, at least, in a state of astonishment. Beneath any feeling he has of the good or evil of the world lies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sansom/a-writer-lives-at-least-in-a-state-of-astonishment-beneath-any/) [William Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sansom/) > [Rich men are resolved to be astonished at nothing. 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"Jesus, Carly, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lissa-bryan/see-nothing-to-it-i-see-all-right-carly-said-her-tone-full-of-awe-she/) [Lissa Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lissa-bryan/) > [For a moment Clary thought she might fall; she felt as if something essential had been torn away from her, an arm or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/for-a-moment-clary-thought-she-might-fall-she-felt-as-if-something/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Both of you’ll just have to believe me. 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