--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man - a being in search of meaning." description: "\"Man - a being in search of meaning.\" — Plato" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2a/plato-103_being_man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning-2345112_2345112.jpg" --- # Man - a being in search of meaning. ![“Man - a being in search of meaning.” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2a/plato-103_being_man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning-2345112_2345112.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2a/plato-103_being_man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning-2345112_2345112.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2a/plato-103_being_man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning-2345112_2345112.jpg) > “Man - a being in search of meaning.” [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans are driven by the search for meaning, shaping their actions and purpose. **In simple terms:** Humans seek meaning. Key Takeaway Pursue purpose. Themes meaning existence philosophy Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - personal growth - career choice - artistic creation Key Concepts Existentialism human nature Questions to Reflect On - What gives your life meaning? - How do you handle meaninglessness? A Different Perspective Meaning can be elusive and subjective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Man Search](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-search-308380/) [Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Search](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/search/) [Search Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/search-meaning-431379/) ## Related quotes > [“Man’s Search for Meaning,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-ford/man-s-search-for-meaning/) [Judy Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-ford/) > [One of my favorite books is 'Man's Search for Meaning.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-s-sharma/one-of-my-favorite-books-is-man-s-search-for-meaning/) [Robin S. Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-s-sharma/) > [Man is a being in search of meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/man-is-a-being-in-search-of-meaning/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“Man’s Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-ford/man-s-search-for-meaning-by-victor-frankel/) [Judy Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-ford/) > [Don't search for the meaning of life, it is what ever we give it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/don-t-search-for-the-meaning-of-life-it-is-what-ever-we-give-it/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [“In suffering a man must search for his Maker.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/in-suffering-a-man-must-search-for-his-maker/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Man must search for what is right, and let happiness come on its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-must-search-for-what-is-right-and-let-happiness-come-on-its-own/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker Sapiens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ferriss/man-s-search-for-meaning-by-viktor-e-frankl-the-rational-optimist-by/) [Timothy Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-ferriss/) > [When you see a good man, try to emulate his example, and when you see a bad man, search yourself for his faults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-you-see-a-good-man-try-to-emulate-his-example-and-when-you-see-a/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The search for meaning can be through religion but it can also be through art and tapestry. It can be through prayer but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-rutledge/the-search-for-meaning-can-be-through-religion-but-it-can-also-be/) [Justin Rutledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-rutledge/) > [“We all search for our meaning, and if we do not find meaning in who we are or what we do, we often search…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ford/we-all-search-for-our-meaning-and-if-we-do-not-find-meaning-in-who-we/) [Jim Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ford/) > [There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion ('man's search for God'!) suddenly draw back. Supposing we really found Him?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-comes-a-moment-when-people-who-have-been-dabbling-in-religion/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Man's search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life and not a "secondary rationalization" of instinctual drives. This meaning is unique and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/man-s-search-for-meaning-is-the-primary-motivation-in-his-life-and/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Man's search for meaning is the chief motivation of his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/man-s-search-for-meaning-is-the-chief-motivation-of-his-life/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“He's the man we were in search of, that's true, and yet he's not the man we were in search of. For the man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/he-s-the-man-we-were-in-search-of-that-s-true-and-yet-he-s-not-the/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) ## More by Plato > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [You may be sure, dear Crito, that inaccurate language is not only in itself a mistake: it implants evil in men's souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-may-be-sure-dear-crito-that-inaccurate-language-is-not-only-in/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“If men learn this, it will implant forgetfulness in their souls; they will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/if-men-learn-this-it-will-implant-forgetfulness-in-their-souls-they/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/knowledge-which-is-acquired-under-compulsion-obtains-no-hold-on-the/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/i-do-not-think-it-is-permitted-that-a-better-man-be-harmed-by-a-worse/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Any city, however small, is in fact divided into two, one the city of the poor, the other of the rich; these are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/any-city-however-small-is-in-fact-divided-into-two-one-the-city-of/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-as-nobody-may-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“The love of man to woman is a thing common and of course, and at first partakes more of instinct and passion than of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/the-love-of-man-to-woman-is-a-thing-common-and-of-course-and-at-first/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/strange-times-are-these-in-which-we-live-when-old-and-young-are/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“He was a wise man who invented God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/he-was-a-wise-man-who-invented-god/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [For let me tell you, that the more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/for-let-me-tell-you-that-the-more-the-pleasures-of-the-body-fade-away/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“What shall we say about those spectators, then, who can see a plurality of beautiful things, but not beauty itself, and who are incapable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/what-shall-we-say-about-those-spectators-then-who-can-see-a-plurality/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Geometry existed before creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/geometry-existed-before-creation/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so that nobody will believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-that-nobody-will-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [We must, if we are to be consistent, and if we re to have a real pedigree herd, mate the best of our men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/we-must-if-we-are-to-be-consistent-and-if-we-re-to-have-a-real/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) [Explore all 1,278 Plato quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Man - a being in search of meaning.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plato" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2a/plato-103_being_man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning-2345112_2345112.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2a/plato-103_being_man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning-2345112_2345112.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2a/plato-103_being_man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning-2345112_2345112.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Man - a being in search of meaning.” — Plato", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Plato", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Man - a being in search...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/man-a-being-in-search-of-meaning/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```