Life Quote by Milan Kundera
“We can never know what to want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Unbearable Lightness of Being, 1984
Because we live only once, we cannot compare or perfect our desires across lifetimes, making true wants unknowable.
In simple terms: One life limits our ability to know what we truly want.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty in desire.
Themes
philosophy
existence
desire
Mood
thoughtful
philosophical
Type
literary
existential
When to use this quote
- making life choices
- setting goals
- reflecting on values
- accepting ambiguity
Key Concepts
subjectivity
temporal limitation
self‑knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- What desires feel most authentic now?
- Can you find meaning without perfect certainty?
A Different Perspective
Our limited perspective may lead to endless searching without satisfaction.
![“We can never know what to want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come. [...] There is no means of testing which decision is better, because there is no basis for comparison. We live everything as it comes, without…” quote by Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ae5/milan-kundera-120_life_we-can-never-know-what-to-want-because-l_2207987.jpg)
