---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are enigmas that we can gnaw on…"
description: "\"“There are enigmas that we can gnaw on throughout our lives from which we derive sustenance, some kind of spiritual nourishment...I'm thinking of certa..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/mark-leyner-10696_enigmas_there-are-enigmas-that-we-can-gnaw-on-th_321606.png"
---

#  There are enigmas that we can gnaw on throughout our lives…

![“There are enigmas that we can gnaw on throughout our lives from which we derive sustenance, some kind of spiritual nourishment...I'm thinking of certain kinds of riddles and koans and philosophical conundrums, things like that...But there are also enigmas that, throughout our lives, gnaw on us.” quote by Mark Leyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/mark-leyner-10696_enigmas_there-are-enigmas-that-we-can-gnaw-on-th_321606.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/mark-leyner-10696_enigmas_there-are-enigmas-that-we-can-gnaw-on-th_321606.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/mark-leyner-10696_enigmas_there-are-enigmas-that-we-can-gnaw-on-th_321606.png)

> ““There are enigmas that we can gnaw on throughout our lives from which we derive sustenance, some kind of spiritual nourishment...I'm thinking of certain kinds of riddles and koans and philosophical conundrums, things like that...But there are also enigmas that, throughout our lives, gnaw on us.””

[Mark Leyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leyner/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Life’s unsolvable mysteries provide spiritual sustenance, while persistent puzzles can also become burdens that gnaw at us.

**In simple terms:** Mysteries can nourish or torment.

Key Takeaway

Balance curiosity with acceptance of uncertainty.

Themes

mystery spirituality philosophy psychology

Mood

contemplative inquisitive balanced

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal reflection
- creative writing
- educational curricula

Key Concepts

existentialism mindfulness growth

Questions to Reflect On

- What mysteries inspire you positively?
- When do puzzles become harmful?

A Different Perspective

Obsessive focus on riddles may hinder practical action.

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[Enigmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enigmas/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Spiritual nourishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-nourishment/)

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> [Society bristles with enigmas which look hard to solve. It is a perfect maze of intrigue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/society-bristles-with-enigmas-which-look-hard-to-solve-it-is-a/)

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[Robert Smithson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smithson/)

> [“Enigmas hastiados de su tiranía: tiranos, dispuestos a ser destronados,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/enigmas-hastiados-de-su-tiran-a-tiranos-dispuestos-a-ser-destronados/)

[James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/)

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> [“Our task is not to solve enigmas, but to be aware of them, to bow our heads before them and also to prepare the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-moggach/our-task-is-not-to-solve-enigmas-but-to-be-aware-of-them-to-bow-our/)

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> [“Our task is not to solve enigmas, but to be aware of them, to bow our heads before them and also to prepare the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-moggach/our-task-is-not-to-solve-enigmas-but-to-be-aware-of-them-to-bow-our/)

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