--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: According to his thinking, man was not…" description: "\"“According to his thinking, man was not born for a particular purpose. Quite the opposite: a purpose developed only with the birth of an individual. To..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/natsume-s-seki-10250_action_according-to-his-thinking-man-was-not-bo_2839637.jpg" --- # According to his thinking, man was not born for a… ![“According to his thinking, man was not born for a particular purpose. Quite the opposite: a purpose developed only with the birth of an individual. To objectively fabricate a purpose at the outset and to apply it to a human being was to rob him at birth of freedom of action. Hence, purpose was…” quote by Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/natsume-s-seki-10250_action_according-to-his-thinking-man-was-not-bo_2839637.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/natsume-s-seki-10250_action_according-to-his-thinking-man-was-not-bo_2839637.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/natsume-s-seki-10250_action_according-to-his-thinking-man-was-not-bo_2839637.jpg) > ““According to his thinking, man was not born for a particular purpose. Quite the opposite: a purpose developed only with the birth of an individual. To objectively fabricate a purpose at the outset and to apply it to a human being was to rob him at birth of freedom of action. Hence, purpose was something that the individual had to make for himself. But no one, no matter who, could freely create a purpose. This was because the purpose of one's existence was as good as announced to the universe by the course of that existence itself. Starting from this premise, Daisuke held that one's natural activities constituted one's natural purposes. A man walked because he wanted to. Then walking became his purpose. He thought because he wanted to. Then, thinking became his purpose. Just as to walk or to think for a particular purpose meant the degradation of walking and thinking, so to establish an external purpose and to act to fulfill it meant the degradation of action. Accordingly, those who used the sum of their actions as a means to an end were in effect destroying the purpose of their own existence.”” [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Purpose is not pre‑assigned; it emerges from one’s lived actions, and imposing an external goal undermines authentic freedom. **In simple terms:** Purpose arises from what you actually do, not from imposed goals. Key Takeaway Live authentically through your own actions. Themes freedom authenticity purpose existentialism Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career choices - creative projects - daily habits - personal development Key Concepts self‑determination action meaning Questions to Reflect On - How do you discover purpose in everyday actions? - When might an external goal be beneficial? A Different Perspective External goals can conflict with inner motivations, causing tension. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Fabrication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fabrication/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) ## Related quotes > [If the process don't transfer, they cannot even be called thinking. They can be called learning, memory, or habit, but not thinking. The purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-jager-adams/if-the-process-don-t-transfer-they-cannot-even-be-called-thinking/) Marilyn Jager Adams > [“Our thought has acquired many bad habits, and one of them is thinking without purpose. Our thinking has become automatic; we are quite satisfied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/our-thought-has-acquired-many-bad-habits-and-one-of-them-is-thinking/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [“When there is no purpose of thought or activities to keep us firmly planted in routines, we connect to our personal spirit. Then the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/when-there-is-no-purpose-of-thought-or-activities-to-keep-us-firmly/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [Selfishly, working with kids gives me joy - it makes me feel like my life has a purpose. And I thought, Imagine what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/selfishly-working-with-kids-gives-me-joy-it-makes-me-feel-like-my/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [“In spite of her desire for a contained universe, her life felt scattered, full of many small moments, without great purpose. That is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/in-spite-of-her-desire-for-a-contained-universe-her-life-felt/) [Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/) > [“The purpose of life is to be restored back to Love, moment to moment. To fulfill this purpose, the individual must acknowledge that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ihaleakala-hew-len/the-purpose-of-life-is-to-be-restored-back-to-love-moment-to-moment/) Ihaleakala Hew Len > [The pursuit of enlightenment is for the purpose of the world, not merely for the purpose of the individual. Practices for enlightenment must lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-glassman/the-pursuit-of-enlightenment-is-for-the-purpose-of-the-world-not/) [Bernie Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-glassman/) > [When each citizen submits himself to the authority of law he does not thereby decrease his independence or freedom, but rather increases it. By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/when-each-citizen-submits-himself-to-the-authority-of-law-he-does-not/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [ “As God's purpose is to glorify the individual \[hu\]man (or soul) in the earth, so the highest purpose of an individual soul or entity… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/as-god-s-purpose-is-to-glorify-the-individual-hu-man-or-soul-in-the/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [I found the purpose of my existence, and also the purpose of my circumstance. There's a purpose for why you're in the fire. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-vujicic/i-found-the-purpose-of-my-existence-and-also-the-purpose-of-my/) [Nick Vujicic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-vujicic/) > [The man who is happy is fulfilling the purpose of existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/the-man-who-is-happy-is-fulfilling-the-purpose-of-existence/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [The purpose of existence is to exist. It is too fantastic to have a meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaggi-vasudev/the-purpose-of-existence-is-to-exist-it-is-too-fantastic-to-have-a/) [Jaggi Vasudev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaggi-vasudev/) > [We live that our souls may grow. The development of the soul is the purpose of existence. God Almighty is trying to obtain some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-g-lake/we-live-that-our-souls-may-grow-the-development-of-the-soul-is-the/) [John G. Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-g-lake/) > [“...the best way to know the Truth or Beauty is to try to express it. And what is the purpose of existence Here or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/the-best-way-to-know-the-truth-or-beauty-is-to-try-to-express-it-and/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [It is never until one realizes that one means something to others that one feels there is any point or purpose in one's own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-zweig/it-is-never-until-one-realizes-that-one-means-something-to-others/) [Stefan Zweig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-zweig/) ## More by Natsume Sōseki > [“Daisuke was of course equipped with conversation that, even if they went further, would allow him to retreat as if nothing had happened. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/daisuke-was-of-course-equipped-with-conversation-that-even-if-they/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“His grin seemed to say, “It is, for some strange reason, considered proper to congratulate people on such occasions as this.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/his-grin-seemed-to-say-it-is-for-some-strange-reason-considered/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“He is totally abandoned in the way he buys book after book, never to read a single one. I wouldn't mind if he used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/he-is-totally-abandoned-in-the-way-he-buys-book-after-book-never-to/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“Use your intellect to guide you, and you will end up putting people off. Rely on your emotions, and you will forever be pushed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/use-your-intellect-to-guide-you-and-you-will-end-up-putting-people/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“Living as I do with human beings, the more that I observe them, the more I am forced to conclude that they are selfish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/living-as-i-do-with-human-beings-the-more-that-i-observe-them-the/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“One day, with his usual head (I do not mean to imply that one can change heads as one changes hats, wearing at will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/one-day-with-his-usual-head-i-do-not-mean-to-imply-that-one-can/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“But do you imagine there’s a certain type of person in the world who conforms to the idea of a ‘bad person'? You’ll never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/but-do-you-imagine-there-s-a-certain-type-of-person-in-the-world-who/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“He had always been a middle-of-the-road sort. He had never submitted word for word to anyone's command, but neither had he passionately rebelled against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/he-had-always-been-a-middle-of-the-road-sort-he-had-never-submitted/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“You see, loneliness is the price we have to pay for being born in this modern age, so full of freedom, independence, and our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/you-see-loneliness-is-the-price-we-have-to-pay-for-being-born-in-this/) [Natsume Soseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“It is painfully easy to define human beings. They are beings who, for no good reason at all, create their own unnecessary suffering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/it-is-painfully-easy-to-define-human-beings-they-are-beings-who-for/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“That Seigo could go into geisha houses, accept luncheon invitations, drop in at the Club, see people off at Shimabashi, meet them at Yokohama,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/that-seigo-could-go-into-geisha-houses-accept-luncheon-invitations/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“You seem to be under the impression that there is a special breed of bad humans. There is no such thing as a stereotype…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/you-seem-to-be-under-the-impression-that-there-is-a-special-breed-of/) [Natsume Soseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“If the Creator should take the line that I am born to work and not to sleep, I would agree that I am indeed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/if-the-creator-should-take-the-line-that-i-am-born-to-work-and-not-to/) [Natsume Sōseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“In Doya-sensei's view the world was a place to work for the sake of others; in Takayanagi's view the world was a place to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/in-doya-sensei-s-view-the-world-was-a-place-to-work-for-the-sake-of/) [Natsume Soseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) > [“Indeed, humans are the least reliable in this world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsume-s-seki/indeed-humans-are-the-least-reliable-in-this-world/) [Natsume Soseki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) [Explore all 53 Natsume Sōseki quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsume-s-seki/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. 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Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. 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