--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What the philosophers have to say about…" description: "\"What the philosophers have to say about reality is often as disappointing as a sign you see in a shop window, which reads Pressing Done Here. If you br..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/soren-kierkegaard-578_clothes_what-the-philosophers-have-to-say-about_627598.jpg" --- # What the philosophers have to say about reality is often… ![“What the philosophers have to say about reality is often as disappointing as a sign you see in a shop window, which reads Pressing Done Here. If you brought your clothes in to be pressed, you would be fooled: for the sign is only for sale.” quote by Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/soren-kierkegaard-578_clothes_what-the-philosophers-have-to-say-about_627598.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/soren-kierkegaard-578_clothes_what-the-philosophers-have-to-say-about_627598.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/soren-kierkegaard-578_clothes_what-the-philosophers-have-to-say-about_627598.jpg) > “What the philosophers have to say about reality is often as disappointing as a sign you see in a shop window, which reads Pressing Done Here. If you brought your clothes in to be pressed, you would be fooled: for the sign is only for sale.” [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Philosophical claims about reality can be as empty as a commercial sign promising a service that doesn't exist. **In simple terms:** Philosophical statements may be hollow. Key Takeaway Question the substance behind grand claims. Themes existentialism skepticism truth illusion Mood skeptical thoughtful Type existential critical When to use this quote - theology - literary criticism - personal reflection Key Concepts philosophical critique semantic emptiness authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How do you discern genuine insight? - What role does language play in shaping reality? A Different Perspective Not all empty signs are intentional deception. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clothes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clothes/) [Disappointing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointing/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Fooled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fooled/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophers Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophers-say-358986/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Pressed Fooled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressed-fooled-5065371/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Reality Disappointing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality-disappointing-1066189/) [Say Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-reality-497660/) [Shop windows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shop-windows/) [Shops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shops/) [Window](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/window/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [“Reality had a disappointing habit of not measuring up to my memories.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-bradbury/reality-had-a-disappointing-habit-of-not-measuring-up-to-my-memories/) [Jennifer Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-bradbury/) > [“It is perfectly true, as philosophers say, that life must be understood backwards. But they forget the other proposition, that it must be lived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/it-is-perfectly-true-as-philosophers-say-that-life-must-be-understood/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [First let me say that as a reality star myself, I find it hard to separate 'real' from 'TV real' sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-zarin/first-let-me-say-that-as-a-reality-star-myself-i-find-it-hard-to/) [Jill Zarin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-zarin/) > [“... but some say that reality is what happens inside a writer's head, and it is fiction which takes place outside it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-a-whittingham/but-some-say-that-reality-is-what-happens-inside-a-writer-s-head-and/) [Barry A. Whittingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-a-whittingham/) > [They say that there is no reality before it has been given shape by words rules regulations. They say that in what concerns them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monique-wittig/they-say-that-there-is-no-reality-before-it-has-been-given-shape-by/) [Monique Wittig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monique-wittig/) > [“What sense the universe had made to them had disappeared with my words, and they were unsure of how to fit what they’d heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-leckie/what-sense-the-universe-had-made-to-them-had-disappeared-with-my/) [Ann Leckie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-leckie/) > [Is keeping my mouth shut of all the things I need to say because in reality you'll just look the other way and pretend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/young-siddiq-prince/is-keeping-my-mouth-shut-of-all-the-things-i-need-to-say-because-in/) [Young Siddiq Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/young-siddiq-prince/) > [I hate when people sit there and talk s%\*! and think you didn't hear them. But when you confront them you get yelled at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-archer/i-hate-when-people-sit-there-and-talk-s-and-think-you-didn-t-hear/) [Laura Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-archer/) > [“Let’s say (since in writing a book one has to say something) that reality or existence is a multidimensional and interwoven system of varying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-wilson-watts/let-s-say-since-in-writing-a-book-one-has-to-say-something-that/) [Alan Wilson Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-wilson-watts/) > [We're what we think we will be. What we say becomes reality, what we do not do becomes our reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/we-re-what-we-think-we-will-be-what-we-say-becomes-reality-what-we-do/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [A symbol always transcends the one who makes use of it and makes him say in reality more than he is aware of expressing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/a-symbol-always-transcends-the-one-who-makes-use-of-it-and-makes-him/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [My grandkids say, "Reality Bites." O.K., but it also challenges and rewards... I believe our best days are yet to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-w-bush/my-grandkids-say-reality-bites-o-k-but-it-also-challenges-and-rewards/) [George H. W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) > [“Perhaps the most meaningful exchange I had on the subject was a completely random discussion with my uncle Martin at my parents’ annual summer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-harris/perhaps-the-most-meaningful-exchange-i-had-on-the-subject-was-a/) [Dan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-harris/) > [Let's say that, in reality, I'm basically very shy when it comes to men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-summer/let-s-say-that-in-reality-i-m-basically-very-shy-when-it-comes-to-men/) [Donna Summer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-summer/) > [There may not be one Truth - there may be several truths - but saying that is not to say that reality doesn't exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/there-may-not-be-one-truth-there-may-be-several-truths-but-saying/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## More by Soren Kierkegaard > [Christianity does not oppose debauchery and uncontrollable passions and the like as much as it opposes... flat mediocrity, this nauseating atmosphere, this homey, civil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/christianity-does-not-oppose-debauchery-and-uncontrollable-passions/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [Christians remind me of schoolboys who want to look up the answers to their math problems in the back of the book rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/christians-remind-me-of-schoolboys-who-want-to-look-up-the-answers-to/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [People commonly travel the world over to see rivers and mountains, new stars, garish birds, freak fish, grotesque breeds of human; they fall into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/people-commonly-travel-the-world-over-to-see-rivers-and-mountains-new/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [“A strange thing happened to me in my dream. I was rapt into the Seventh Heaven. There sat all the gods assembled. As a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/a-strange-thing-happened-to-me-in-my-dream-i-was-rapt-into-the/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [That which is truly human no generation learns from the one before it. No generation learns from another how to love. No generation has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/that-which-is-truly-human-no-generation-learns-from-the-one-before-it/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [A man may perform astonishing feats and comprehend a vast amount of knowledge, and yet have no understanding of himself. But suffering directs a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/a-man-may-perform-astonishing-feats-and-comprehend-a-vast-amount-of/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [Be that self which one truly is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/be-that-self-which-one-truly-is/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [I go fishing for a thousand monsters in the depths of my own self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/i-go-fishing-for-a-thousand-monsters-in-the-depths-of-my-own-self/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [In addition to my other numerous acquaintances, I have one more intimate confidant… My depression is the most faithful mistress I have known —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/in-addition-to-my-other-numerous-acquaintances-i-have-one-more/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [The greatest danger to Christianity is, I contend, not heresies, not heterodoxies, not atheists, not profane secularism - no, but the kind of orthodoxy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/the-greatest-danger-to-christianity-is-i-contend-not-heresies-not/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [Future is everything that past has forgotten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/future-is-everything-that-past-has-forgotten/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [Without risk, faith is an impossibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/without-risk-faith-is-an-impossibility/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [I have only one confidant, and that is the silence of night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/i-have-only-one-confidant-and-that-is-the-silence-of-night/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [A road well begun is the battle half won. The important thing is to make a beginning and get under way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/a-road-well-begun-is-the-battle-half-won-the-important-thing-is-to/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [I have, I believe, the courage to doubt everything; I have, I believe, the courage to fight against everything; but I do not have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/i-have-i-believe-the-courage-to-doubt-everything-i-have-i-believe-the/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) [Explore all 462 Soren Kierkegaard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) ## More Clothes quotes > [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [The color of somebody's skin or the way he wears his hair or clothes has nothing to do with anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-color-of-somebody-s-skin-or-the-way-he-wears-his-hair-or-clothes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I shot for French and British Vogue. The British Vogue one featured clothes by Chloe and was shot at Highgate and the John Soane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-shot-for-french-and-british-vogue-the-british-vogue-one-featured/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [Nowadays most people wear black most of the time anyway: go to a literary party and one would imagine everyone there was in perpetual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/nowadays-most-people-wear-black-most-of-the-time-anyway-go-to-a/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [Everyday happiness means getting up in the morning, and you can't wait to finish your breakfast. You can't wait to do your exercises. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-burns/everyday-happiness-means-getting-up-in-the-morning-and-you-can-t-wait/) [George Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-burns/) > [I design some of my own clothes now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiernan-shipka/i-design-some-of-my-own-clothes-now/) [Kiernan Shipka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiernan-shipka/) > [I know my hair is out of the '60's, my clothes are '50's and the shoes I wear are from the '40's. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-know-my-hair-is-out-of-the-60-s-my-clothes-are-50-s-and-the-shoes-i/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [Don't get too excited, but I'm naked under these clothes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/don-t-get-too-excited-but-i-m-naked-under-these-clothes/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Downstairs in my house, I have a museum room. I keep all of my awards down there, and childhood photos, and even all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-kelly/downstairs-in-my-house-i-have-a-museum-room-i-keep-all-of-my-awards/) [R. Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-kelly/) > [My problems are sort of more on a nuisance level. I can't stand scratchy clothes, I've got to have soft kinds of cotton against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/my-problems-are-sort-of-more-on-a-nuisance-level-i-can-t-stand/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [“Take care of your costume and your confidence will take care of itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/take-care-of-your-costume-and-your-confidence-will-take-care-of-itself/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When I was a kid, my parents were happy to buy me clothes; they provided for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-wooster/when-i-was-a-kid-my-parents-were-happy-to-buy-me-clothes-they/) [Nick Wooster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-wooster/) > [It's very important to me that I look good when I go out publicly. I like looking at my clothes rack in the morning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-wintour/it-s-very-important-to-me-that-i-look-good-when-i-go-out-publicly-i/) [Anna Wintour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-wintour/) [Browse all 4,888 Clothes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clothes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What the philosophers have to say about reality is often as disappointing as a sign you see in a shop window, which reads Pressing Done Here. 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