Artist 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. [...] 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)
““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 warning, like an actor going on cold. And what can life be worth if the first rehearsal for life is life itself? That is why life is always like a sketch. No, "sketch" is not quite the word, because a sketch is an outline of something, the groundwork for a picture, whereas the sketch that is our life is a sketch for nothing, an outline with no picture.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera, 1984
Life lacks a definitive reference point, making desires and decisions uncertain, like an unfinished sketch without a final picture.
In simple terms: Life is uncertain and lacks a clear picture.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty and act in the present.
Themes
existentialism
uncertainty
choice
meaning
impermanence
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
philosophical
reflective
literary
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- career planning
- relationships
- creative projects
Key Concepts
philosophical reflection
subjectivity
comparative analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you make choices without a clear future picture?
- What does living as a sketch mean for your goals?
A Different Perspective
Life’s unpredictability can lead to paralysis or regret if not embraced.
![“We can never know what we want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come. [...] And what can life be worth if the first rehearsal for life is life itself? That is why life is always like a sketch. No, 'sketch' is not quite…” quote by Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ab4/milan-kundera-120_life_we-can-never-know-what-we-want-because-l_1124146.jpg)
