Beings Quote by O.E. Rolvaag, Boat of Longing
““You were asking about the happy people: Well, they don't live on our planet, you see; we'll just have to wait, my boy! On this one human beings are not human beings. They are seamen and farmers and miners and lumberjacks; they are tramps and preachers and professors; they are this and that and the other. And happiness departed from them when they left off being human beings and became this other; for then strife began.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Boat of Longing, 1932
Humanity loses happiness when it abandons authentic humanity, becoming divided by roles and material pursuits.
In simple terms: Authentic humanity sustains happiness.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate genuine human connection.
Themes
human nature
happiness
identity
alienation
societal roles
Mood
melancholic
critical
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- community building
- mindful work
- family gatherings
- civic engagement
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
philosophy
social critique
existentialism
community
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines “being human” for you?
- How can we resist dehumanizing divisions?
A Different Perspective
Changing roles may be necessary for survival.
