--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When a man has lost all happiness, he's…" description: "\"When a man has lost all happiness, he's not alive. Call him a breathing corpse.\" — Sophocles" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/351/sophocles-370_alive_when-a-man-has-lost-all-happiness-he-s-n_1145714.png" --- # When a man has lost all happiness, he's not alive. Call… ![“When a man has lost all happiness, he's not alive. Call him a breathing corpse.” quote by Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/351/sophocles-370_alive_when-a-man-has-lost-all-happiness-he-s-n_1145714.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/351/sophocles-370_alive_when-a-man-has-lost-all-happiness-he-s-n_1145714.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/351/sophocles-370_alive_when-a-man-has-lost-all-happiness-he-s-n_1145714.png) > “When a man has lost all happiness, he's not alive. Call him a breathing corpse.” [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When happiness is gone, life feels empty, like merely existing without joy. **In simple terms:** Life without joy feels empty. Key Takeaway Seek meaning beyond mere existence. Themes existence joy meaning humanity Mood melancholic reflective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - grief - depression - terminal illness - loneliness Key Concepts existentialism psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What gives you purpose when joy fades? - Can emptiness be a catalyst for growth? A Different Perspective Happiness is subjective; some find purpose in duty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Alive Breathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive-breathing-820745/) [Breathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing/) [Breathing Corpse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing-corpse-3213836/) [Corpse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corpse/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Lost Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost-happiness-1035637/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Man Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-lost/) ## Related quotes > [I lost my happiness. Can you check it in your things? Because the last time I saw it, I was with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-lost-my-happiness-can-you-check-it-in-your-things-because-the-last/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“That was during the time of her lost happiness, when his love had built round her a protective wall, which for a brief period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-kavan/that-was-during-the-time-of-her-lost-happiness-when-his-love-had/) [Anna Kavan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-kavan/) > [“PS. Thoughts: To Peter We've been missing out on so much here, so very much, and for such a long time. I miss it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/ps-thoughts-to-peter-we-ve-been-missing-out-on-so-much-here-so-very/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [“Riches, prestige, everything can be lost. But the happiness in your own heart can only be dimmed; it will always be there, as long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/riches-prestige-everything-can-be-lost-but-the-happiness-in-your-own/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [As we got more interested in time management and productivity, we lost the individual, and with that individual loss, we lost happiness as well.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/as-we-got-more-interested-in-time-management-and-productivity-we-lost/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [Riches can all be lost, but that happiness in your own heart can only be veiled, and it will bring you happiness again, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/riches-can-all-be-lost-but-that-happiness-in-your-own-heart-can-only/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [Dont look for happiness for its not lost, happiness is around you, inside you and in front of you. To be truly happy is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/dont-look-for-happiness-for-its-not-lost-happiness-is-around-you/) [Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/) > [Some women succeed at being strong and also tender, but most of those who have intended to walk alone, making their own way, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elsa-schiaparelli/some-women-succeed-at-being-strong-and-also-tender-but-most-of-those/) [Elsa Schiaparelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elsa-schiaparelli/) > [It may be that true happiness lies in the conviction that one has irremediably lost happiness. Then we can begin to move through life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-luisa-bombal/it-may-be-that-true-happiness-lies-in-the-conviction-that-one-has/) [Maria Luisa Bombal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-luisa-bombal/) > [Opportunities flit by while we sit regretting the chances we have lost, and the happiness that comes to us we heed not, because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/opportunities-flit-by-while-we-sit-regretting-the-chances-we-have/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Riches, prestige, everything can be lost. But the happiness in your heart can only be dimmed; it will always be there as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/riches-prestige-everything-can-be-lost-but-the-happiness-in-your/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [“Loving you made me a different person. I became someone I never wanted to be. I lost my happiness, my purpose, and my peace.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-williamsni-words-world/loving-you-made-me-a-different-person-i-became-someone-i-never-wanted/) [Garth Williamsni - words world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-williamsni-words-world/) > [I'm alive. Breathing on my own. With the ability to hear, speak, taste, touch, see and think clearly... all on my own. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-alive-breathing-on-my-own-with-the-ability-to-hear-speak-taste/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Pain reminds us that we are alive and breathing, that we still have the strength within to fight”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mercado/pain-reminds-us-that-we-are-alive-and-breathing-that-we-still-have/) [George Mercado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mercado/) > [“She was surprised that her hands had not forgotten, that somewhere in her mind, after a year of darkness and slavery, music was still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-was-surprised-that-her-hands-had-not-forgotten-that-somewhere-in/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More by Sophocles > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [God's dice always have a lucky roll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/god-s-dice-always-have-a-lucky-roll/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A fool cannot be an actor, though an actor may act a fool's part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-fool-cannot-be-an-actor-though-an-actor-may-act-a-fool-s-part/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Go then if you must, but remember, no matter how foolish your deeds, those who love you will love you still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/go-then-if-you-must-but-remember-no-matter-how-foolish-your-deeds/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Man's worst ill is stubbornness of heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/man-s-worst-ill-is-stubbornness-of-heart/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A lie never lives to be old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-lie-never-lives-to-be-old/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [How dangerous can false reasoning prove!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/how-dangerous-can-false-reasoning-prove/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Why should man fear since chance is all in all for him, and he can clearly foreknow nothing? Best to live lightly, as one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/why-should-man-fear-since-chance-is-all-in-all-for-him-and-he-can/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“But life takes sudden twists.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/but-life-takes-sudden-twists/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [When ice appears out of doors, and boys seize it up while it is solid, at first they experience new pleasures. But in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/when-ice-appears-out-of-doors-and-boys-seize-it-up-while-it-is-solid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [For God hates utterly the bray of bragging tongues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/for-god-hates-utterly-the-bray-of-bragging-tongues/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/i-have-nothing-but-contempt-for-the-kind-of-governor-who-is-afraid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“Not from Hades' black and universal lake can you lift him. Not by groaning, not by prayers. Yet you run yourself out in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/not-from-hades-black-and-universal-lake-can-you-lift-him-not-by/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A fearful man is always hearing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-fearful-man-is-always-hearing-things/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [There is a point at which even justice does injury.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/there-is-a-point-at-which-even-justice-does-injury/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) [Explore all 621 Sophocles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When a man has lost all happiness, he's not alive. 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