--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's only a game if there is an absence…" description: "\"“It's only a game if there is an absence of meaning.”\" — Rachel Cohn David Levithan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c21/rachel-cohn-david-levithan-359_absence_it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence_74838.jpg" --- # It's only a game if there is an absence of meaning. ![“It's only a game if there is an absence of meaning.” quote by Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c21/rachel-cohn-david-levithan-359_absence_it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence_74838.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c21/rachel-cohn-david-levithan-359_absence_it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence_74838.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c21/rachel-cohn-david-levithan-359_absence_it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence_74838.jpg) > ““It's only a game if there is an absence of meaning.”” [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The statement asserts that an activity becomes a game only when it lacks deeper significance, implying that meaning transforms play into something more purposeful. **In simple terms:** Meaning distinguishes play from games. Key Takeaway Meaning gives purpose. Themes meaning purpose play games significance Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - designing educational games - creating meaningful work - evaluating leisure activities Key Concepts meaning purpose Practical Applications - game design - motivational coaching Questions to Reflect On - What makes an activity meaningful? - How does purpose affect engagement? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) [Absence Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence-meaning-971186/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Game Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game-absence-971185/) [Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) ## Related quotes > [It's only a game if there is an absence of meaning. And we've already gone too far for that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence-of-meaning-and-we-ve-already/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [“Culture primarily witnesses the absence of meaning, not it's presence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mcfarland/culture-primarily-witnesses-the-absence-of-meaning-not-it-s-presence/) [Thomas McFarland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mcfarland/) > [An absence of meaning opens a gap in time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-certeau/an-absence-of-meaning-opens-a-gap-in-time/) [Michel de Certeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-certeau/) > [When my absence doesnt alter your life, then my presence has no meaning in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-my-absence-doesnt-alter-your-life-then-my-presence-has-no/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Life has the meaning we give it, no more, no less.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/life-has-the-meaning-we-give-it-no-more-no-less/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [Meaning. If you're going to die, you want to find meaning in life. You want to connect the dots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franny-billingsley/meaning-if-you-re-going-to-die-you-want-to-find-meaning-in-life-you/) [Franny Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franny-billingsley/) > [“There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/there-is-nothing-in-the-world-i-venture-to-say-that-would-so/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“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/) > [I don't want to be a tree; I want to be its meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-don-t-want-to-be-a-tree-i-want-to-be-its-meaning/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [“Meaning is not what happens, but what you do with what happens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-fechtor/meaning-is-not-what-happens-but-what-you-do-with-what-happens/) [Jessica Fechtor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-fechtor/) > [“our sacrifice did have a meaning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/our-sacrifice-did-have-a-meaning/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Except for memory, time would have no meaning at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/except-for-memory-time-would-have-no-meaning-at-all/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [There is a grand design hidden behind the obstacles , they are inevitable in everybodys life, they are not without purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/there-is-a-grand-design-hidden-behind-the-obstacles-they-are/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [“Buy calmly and with meaning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-kinsella/buy-calmly-and-with-meaning/) [Sophie Kinsella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-kinsella/) > [When you find your purpose in life, nurture it and make it grow so that when you look back you will not regret living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-m/when-you-find-your-purpose-in-life-nurture-it-and-make-it-grow-so/) [Pamela M](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-m/) ## More by Rachel Cohn David Levithan > [“This is about as far as I can go without some sarcasm creeping in. But before it does, I must say, with utmost sincerity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/this-is-about-as-far-as-i-can-go-without-some-sarcasm-creeping-in-but/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“It's hard to show you that I tried unless you end up succeeding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/it-s-hard-to-show-you-that-i-tried-unless-you-end-up-succeeding/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“Get out of bed and feed me already, person!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/get-out-of-bed-and-feed-me-already-person/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“I think it's time to experience life outside the notebook.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/i-think-it-s-time-to-experience-life-outside-the-notebook/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“Goodwill shouldn't be just for men. It should also apply to women and children, and all animals, even the yucky ones like subway rats.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/goodwill-shouldn-t-be-just-for-men-it-should-also-apply-to-women-and/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“I reveled in solitude. If Lily wanted to believe there was a somebody out there just for her, I wanted to believe that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/i-reveled-in-solitude-if-lily-wanted-to-believe-there-was-a-somebody/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“Goodwill to Spazzy up in gerbil heaven. Sorry sorry sorry. I stopped eating meat the day of the massacre, as penance for Spazzy. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/goodwill-to-spazzy-up-in-gerbil-heaven-sorry-sorry-sorry-i-stopped/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“The secret tactic of a good hard bargainer is to know when to compromise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/the-secret-tactic-of-a-good-hard-bargainer-is-to-know-when-to/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“I go from chords to cords, amped to amps.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/i-go-from-chords-to-cords-amped-to-amps/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“Dev's out to pierce the pierced, tattoo the tattooed, and have his way with the messy punk boys who came to our shows not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/dev-s-out-to-pierce-the-pierced-tattoo-the-tattooed-and-have-his-way/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“Sweat, malice, and hunger pour from me. This is release, or maybe it's just a plea for release.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/sweat-malice-and-hunger-pour-from-me-this-is-release-or-maybe-it-s/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) > [“We are graced, and we are together, and the twoliness is trumping the loneliness and the doubt and the fear. We are making it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/we-are-graced-and-we-are-together-and-the-twoliness-is-trumping-the/) [Rachel Cohn David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) [Explore all 13 Rachel Cohn David Levithan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/) ## More Absence quotes > [Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-and-absence-sweeteneth-it/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [The work, the work, the work. This is what the business is all about. This is the fun, the glory, the pleasure. It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-dusenberry/the-work-the-work-the-work-this-is-what-the-business-is-all-about/) [Phil Dusenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-dusenberry/) > [Total depravity means the entire absence of holiness, not the highest intensity of sin. A totally depraved man is not as bad as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/total-depravity-means-the-entire-absence-of-holiness-not-the-highest/) [William Greenough Thayer Shedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There, in the center of that silence was not eternity but the death of time and a loneliness so profound the word itself had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/there-in-the-center-of-that-silence-was-not-eternity-but-the-death-of/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [Of all the bewildering things about a new country, the absence of human landmarks is one of the most depressing and disheartening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/of-all-the-bewildering-things-about-a-new-country-the-absence-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Young men have strong passions and tend to gratify them indiscriminately. Of the bodily desires, it is the sexual by which they are most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/young-men-have-strong-passions-and-tend-to-gratify-them/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [It is suggested that in domestic violence at least the presence or absence of a firearm, or of any other type of weapon, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-greenwood/it-is-suggested-that-in-domestic-violence-at-least-the-presence-or/) [Colin Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-greenwood/) > [The absence of God in most spheres of life is perceived to be normal, and even Christians feel it as normal - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-absence-of-god-in-most-spheres-of-life-is-perceived-to-be-normal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/every-person-needs-to-take-one-day-away-a-day-in-which-one/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“I was thinking how most people don't make you feel much of anything at all. Don't make you feel like time spent with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-lotter/i-was-thinking-how-most-people-don-t-make-you-feel-much-of-anything/) [Jane Lotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-lotter/) > [Cooperation isn't the absence of conflict but a means of managing conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/cooperation-isn-t-the-absence-of-conflict-but-a-means-of-managing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. But quiet isn't enough. The absence of noise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/many-are-observing-ferguson-and-witnessing-the-anger-demonstrations/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Will capitalist economies operate at full employment in the absence of routine intervention? Certainly not. Are deviations from full employment a social problem? Obviously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-yellen/will-capitalist-economies-operate-at-full-employment-in-the-absence/) [Janet Yellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-yellen/) > [We must begin by acknowledging that there is a complete absence of two things in Indian Society. One of these is equality. On the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-r-ambedkar/we-must-begin-by-acknowledging-that-there-is-a-complete-absence-of/) [B. R. Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-r-ambedkar/) [Browse all 2,057 Absence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It's only a game if there is an absence of meaning.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rachel Cohn David Levithan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence-of-meaning/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Absence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence-of-meaning/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c21/rachel-cohn-david-levithan-359_absence_it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence_74838.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c21/rachel-cohn-david-levithan-359_absence_it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence_74838.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c21/rachel-cohn-david-levithan-359_absence_it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence_74838.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's only a game if there is an absence of meaning.” — Rachel Cohn David Levithan", "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": "Rachel Cohn David Levithan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It's only a game if there...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence-of-meaning/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan/it-s-only-a-game-if-there-is-an-absence-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 } } ] } ```