---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Suffering is nature's way of indicating a…"
description: "\"Suffering is nature's way of indicating a mistaken attitude or way of behavior, and to the nonegocentric person every moment of suffering is the opport..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/rollo-may-1295_attitude_suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating_2074676.jpg"
---

#  Suffering is nature's way of indicating a mistaken…

![“Suffering is nature's way of indicating a mistaken attitude or way of behavior, and to the nonegocentric person every moment of suffering is the opportunity for growth. People should rejoice in suffering, strange as it sounds, for this is a sign of the availability of energy to transform their…” quote by Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/rollo-may-1295_attitude_suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating_2074676.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/rollo-may-1295_attitude_suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating_2074676.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/rollo-may-1295_attitude_suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating_2074676.jpg)

> “Suffering is nature's way of indicating a mistaken attitude or way of behavior, and to the nonegocentric person every moment of suffering is the opportunity for growth. People should rejoice in suffering, strange as it sounds, for this is a sign of the availability of energy to transform their characters.”

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Suffering signals a misguided attitude; recognizing it lets a non‑ego‑centered person use it for personal growth.

**In simple terms:** Suffering shows a wrong attitude and can foster growth.

Key Takeaway

Use pain as a catalyst for change.

Themes

self‑awareness growth resilience

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal crises
- relationship conflicts
- career setbacks
- health challenges

Key Concepts

psychology existentialism transformative learning

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you differentiate between suffering caused by attitude versus circumstance?
- What practices help you turn pain into growth?

A Different Perspective

Suffering may not always be clearly linked to attitude, sometimes it's random.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Every moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-moment/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/)

## Related quotes

> [People are not prepared or able to rejoice in suffering unless they experience a massive biblical revolution of how they think and feel about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/people-are-not-prepared-or-able-to-rejoice-in-suffering-unless-they/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [Whatever capacities there may be for enjoyment or for suffering in this strange being of ours, and God only knows what they are, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hopkins/whatever-capacities-there-may-be-for-enjoyment-or-for-suffering-in/)

[Mark Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hopkins/)

> [Suffering may be someones fault or it may not be anyones fault. But if given to God, our suffering becomes an opportunity to experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-graham-lotz/suffering-may-be-someones-fault-or-it-may-not-be-anyones-fault-but-if/)

[Anne Graham Lotz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-graham-lotz/)

> [We can take suffering to be an opportunity to learn and to grow. But if we are honest, we should remember that this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-baggini/we-can-take-suffering-to-be-an-opportunity-to-learn-and-to-grow-but/)

[Julian Baggini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-baggini/)

> [“Our friend, Gor – he’s the bony, old one, by the tallboy – has been suffering strange occurrences, spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-bennett/our-friend-gor-he-s-the-bony-old-one-by-the-tallboy-has-been/)

[Andrea Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-bennett/)

> [Suffering by nature or chance never seems so painful as suffering inflicted on us by the arbitrary will of another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/suffering-by-nature-or-chance-never-seems-so-painful-as-suffering/)

[Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/)

> [“Suffering is the nature of this world. It is the golden standard by which all things are measured. It is not happiness that sets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/addison-moore/suffering-is-the-nature-of-this-world-it-is-the-golden-standard-by/)

[Addison Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/addison-moore/)

> [“Suffering is the nature of this world. It is the golden standard by which all things are measured. It is not happiness that sets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/addison-moore/suffering-is-the-nature-of-this-world-it-is-the-golden-standard-by-2/)

[Addison Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/addison-moore/)

> [With that availability of cash coming in to your restaurant, get a chance when you buy your restaurant, pay it off first and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-treliving/with-that-availability-of-cash-coming-in-to-your-restaurant-get-a/)

Jim Treliving

> [It's long been accepted as fact that the availability of family planning services saves lives. Where women have access to these services, children and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-plimpton/it-s-long-been-accepted-as-fact-that-the-availability-of-family/)

[Martha Plimpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-plimpton/)

> [If someone seems interested, but tells you they are spending time with someone else? Respect their choice and dont allow yourself to be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-blake-michiels/if-someone-seems-interested-but-tells-you-they-are-spending-time-with/)

[Jordan Blake Michiels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-blake-michiels/)

> [The electronics industry expanded rapidly and the seeds for the semiconductor and software revolution were planted. The postwar period also saw the suburbanization of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/the-electronics-industry-expanded-rapidly-and-the-seeds-for-the/)

[Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/)

> [God does not ask about our ability, but our availability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-does-not-ask-about-our-ability-but-our-availability/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [But the grind has begun. The windows don’t open, and even the availability of near-constant jokes about Jews and Mormons fails to stem the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-eggers/but-the-grind-has-begun-the-windows-don-t-open-and-even-the/)

[Dave Eggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-eggers/)

> [God does not ask your ability Or your inability. He asks only your availability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/god-does-not-ask-your-ability-or-your-inability-he-asks-only-your/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

## More by Rollo May

> [Human freedom involves our capacity to pause between the stimulus and response and, in that pause, to choose the one response toward which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/human-freedom-involves-our-capacity-to-pause-between-the-stimulus-and/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [Political freedom is to be cherished indeed. But there is no political freedom that is not indissolubly bound to the inner personal freedom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/political-freedom-is-to-be-cherished-indeed-but-there-is-no-political/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [Joy is the effect which comes when we use our powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/joy-is-the-effect-which-comes-when-we-use-our-powers/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [In religion, it is not the sycophants or those who cling most faithfully to the status quo who are ultimately praised. It is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/in-religion-it-is-not-the-sycophants-or-those-who-cling-most/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [One of the few blessings of living in an age of anxiety is that we are forced to become aware of ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/one-of-the-few-blessings-of-living-in-an-age-of-anxiety-is-that-we/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [Intimacy requires courage because risk is inescapable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/intimacy-requires-courage-because-risk-is-inescapable/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [Artists do not run away from non-being, but by encountering and wrestling with it, force it to produce being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/artists-do-not-run-away-from-non-being-but-by-encountering-and/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [“Technology is the knack of so arranging the world that we do not experience it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/technology-is-the-knack-of-so-arranging-the-world-that-we-do-not/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [By the creative act, we are able to reach beyond our own death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/by-the-creative-act-we-are-able-to-reach-beyond-our-own-death/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [Joy is the zest that you get out of using your talents, your understanding, the totality of your being, for great aims...That's the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/joy-is-the-zest-that-you-get-out-of-using-your-talents-your/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [One must have at least a readiness to love the other person, broadly speaking, if one is to be able to understand him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/one-must-have-at-least-a-readiness-to-love-the-other-person-broadly/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [Man is the "ethical animal" ethical in potentiality even if, unfortunately, not in actuality. His capacity for ethical judgment like freedom, reason and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/man-is-the-ethical-animal-ethical-in-potentiality-even-if/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [Evil, in this system of ethics, is that which tears apart, shuts out the other person, raises barriers, sets people against each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/evil-in-this-system-of-ethics-is-that-which-tears-apart-shuts-out-the/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [We receive love — from our children as well as others — not in proportion to our demands or sacrifices or needs, but roughly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/we-receive-love-from-our-children-as-well-as-others-not-in-proportion/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/the-opposite-of-courage-in-our-society-is-not-cowardice-it-is/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

[Explore all 259 Rollo May quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

## More Attitude quotes

> [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/)

[MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/)

> [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/)

[Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/)

> [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/)

[Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/)

> [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/)

[Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/)

> [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/)

[William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/)

> [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/)

Isaiah Harden (Me

> [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/)

Sheye Hassan

> [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/)

[Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/)

> [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/)

[Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/)

> [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/)

[Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/)

> [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/)

[Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/)

> [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/)

[Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/)

[Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Suffering is nature's way of indicating a mistaken attitude or way of behavior, and to the nonegocentric person every moment of suffering is the opportunity for growth. People should rejoice in suffering, strange as it sounds, for this is a sign of the availability of energy to transform their characters.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Rollo May"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating-a-mistaken-attitude-or-way-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Attitude"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating-a-mistaken-attitude-or-way-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/rollo-may-1295_attitude_suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating_2074676.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/rollo-may-1295_attitude_suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating_2074676.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/rollo-may-1295_attitude_suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating_2074676.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Suffering is nature's way of indicating a mistaken attitude or way of behavior, and to the nonegocentric…” — Rollo May",
                "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": "Rollo May",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Suffering is nature's way of indicating...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating-a-mistaken-attitude-or-way-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/suffering-is-nature-s-way-of-indicating-a-mistaken-attitude-or-way-of/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
