--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Suffering is not in vain, yet human…" description: "\"“Suffering is not in vain, yet human hands, you prevent me from reaching heights unknown to man. Red knuckled and angry, I punch both fists through clo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cb/susan-marie-45437_suffering_suffering-is-not-in-vain-yet-human-hands_475279.jpg" --- # Suffering is not in vain, yet human hands, you prevent me… ![“Suffering is not in vain, yet human hands, you prevent me from reaching heights unknown to man. Red knuckled and angry, I punch both fists through clouds reaching heaven. I stumble, only a short distance, as my temporal lobes birth supernovas. When I stand my back straight, massive holes adorn the…” quote by Susan Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cb/susan-marie-45437_suffering_suffering-is-not-in-vain-yet-human-hands_475279.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cb/susan-marie-45437_suffering_suffering-is-not-in-vain-yet-human-hands_475279.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cb/susan-marie-45437_suffering_suffering-is-not-in-vain-yet-human-hands_475279.jpg) > ““Suffering is not in vain, yet human hands, you prevent me from reaching heights unknown to man. Red knuckled and angry, I punch both fists through clouds reaching heaven. I stumble, only a short distance, as my temporal lobes birth supernovas. When I stand my back straight, massive holes adorn the sky, all that had been hidden, now in sight. My eyes, were wide open, shut.”” [Susan Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-marie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker feels frustration at human limits, striving for transcendence through effort, yet confronting the paradox of sight and blindness **In simple terms:** Striving for greatness can feel both empowering and blinding Key Takeaway Recognize limits while pursuing growth Themes ambition struggle perception Mood intense hopeful Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - creative work - personal setbacks - spiritual quests - mental health challenges Key Concepts existentialism neuroscience poetry Questions to Reflect On - What does “seeing” mean to you? - How do you balance ambition with acceptance? A Different Perspective The pursuit may lead to burnout or disillusionment if not balanced ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fists Clouds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fists-clouds-4098002/) [Heaven Stumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-stumble-4098003/) [Reaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaching/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Suffering Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering-vain-4098001/) ## Related quotes > [O world, world when I was younger I thought there was some order governing you and your deeds. But now you seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-de-rojas/o-world-world-when-i-was-younger-i-thought-there-was-some-order/) [Fernando de Rojas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-de-rojas/) > [The words of that philosopher who offers no therapy for human suffering are empty and vain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/the-words-of-that-philosopher-who-offers-no-therapy-for-human/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) > [When you're reaching out to people beyond the scientific community, image does matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-randall/when-you-re-reaching-out-to-people-beyond-the-scientific-community/) [Lisa Randall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-randall/) > [It was psychobabbler Abraham Maslow who wrote of the phenomena of self-actualization. What Maslow failed to grasp is that reaching true self-actualization can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/it-was-psychobabbler-abraham-maslow-who-wrote-of-the-phenomena-of/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [I think my soul is intact, but my methods of reaching people are completely different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-franti/i-think-my-soul-is-intact-but-my-methods-of-reaching-people-are/) [Michael Franti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-franti/) > [She was reaching the limits of how much its possible to change a man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/she-was-reaching-the-limits-of-how-much-its-possible-to-change-a-man/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [I just wanted to jump into the stands and start celebrating with those wonderful fans. (on reaching the Champions League final)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-gerrard/i-just-wanted-to-jump-into-the-stands-and-start-celebrating-with/) [Steven Gerrard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-gerrard/) > [Optimism boosts your energy and focuses your sights on reaching your goals, rather than wallowing in your setbacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/optimism-boosts-your-energy-and-focuses-your-sights-on-reaching-your/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [I feel as if my mission is to write, to see, to observe, and I feel lazy if I'm not reaching conclusions. I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/i-feel-as-if-my-mission-is-to-write-to-see-to-observe-and-i-feel-lazy/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [Whether it's people walking off 'The View' when Bill O'Reilly makes a statement about radical Islam or Juan Williams being fired for expressing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantor/whether-it-s-people-walking-off-the-view-when-bill-o-reilly-makes-a/) [Eric Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantor/) > [In his anti-Darwinian book... (and eponymously named The Neck of the Giraffe ), Francis Hitching tells the story... "The need to survive by reaching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/in-his-anti-darwinian-book-and-eponymously-named-the-neck-of-the/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [I have a real low tolerance for parasites, and you're so close to the limit that I'm already reaching for the flea powder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-howard/i-have-a-real-low-tolerance-for-parasites-and-you-re-so-close-to-the/) [Linda Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-howard/) > [Demographically, I'm a hippie from San Francisco and I'm not culturally inclined to be sympathetic to states' rights. My cultural heritage is FDR and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/demographically-i-m-a-hippie-from-san-francisco-and-i-m-not/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [The more we sense...our ultimate potential, the more determined we become to achieve it. It's the difference between your mother hounding you to practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheri-l-dew/the-more-we-sense-our-ultimate-potential-the-more-determined-we/) [Sheri L. Dew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheri-l-dew/) > [We are reaching deep within ourselves to adjust the master knob.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kelly/we-are-reaching-deep-within-ourselves-to-adjust-the-master-knob/) [Kevin Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kelly/) ## More by Susan Marie > [“Words are nothing more than the sky, crying, thunderous crystalline bolts of pure esoteric passion from the deepest crevices that hide beneath my rib-cage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-marie/words-are-nothing-more-than-the-sky-crying-thunderous-crystalline/) [Susan Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-marie/) > [“Sometimes I burst into tears because I feel the pains of this world. Sometimes I burst into laughter because I feel the happiness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-marie/sometimes-i-burst-into-tears-because-i-feel-the-pains-of-this-world/) [Susan Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-marie/) > [“I stood at the edge of the abyss and gazed into eternity with childlike wonder until I sprouted wings and took flight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-marie/i-stood-at-the-edge-of-the-abyss-and-gazed-into-eternity-with/) [Susan Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-marie/) > [“There is a volcanic thundering deep within my abdomen trailing to my belly meeting butterflies. They emerge from my throat, become trapped beneath my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-marie/there-is-a-volcanic-thundering-deep-within-my-abdomen-trailing-to-my/) [Susan Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-marie/) > [“Let's go be Sufi's. Roam the planet spinning like a child’s toy, spreading truth and wisdom, spreading love. Let us go be animals, acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-marie/let-s-go-be-sufi-s-roam-the-planet-spinning-like-a-child-s-toy/) [Susan Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-marie/) > [“Love need not be denied, only placed where it rightfully belongs." - Susan Marie”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-marie/love-need-not-be-denied-only-placed-where-it-rightfully-belongs-susan/) [Susan Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-marie/) > [“What beyond the sunrise and set, beyond body and mind? What then when body and mind have left me, and I am but dust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-marie/what-beyond-the-sunrise-and-set-beyond-body-and-mind-what-then-when/) [Susan Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-marie/) > [“Who are we, mere humans, to propose judgement upon one another? My dear souls, are you not aware we are made of the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-marie/who-are-we-mere-humans-to-propose-judgement-upon-one-another-my-dear/) [Susan Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-marie/) [Explore all 9 Susan Marie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-marie/) ## More Reaching quotes > [We are reaching deep within ourselves to adjust the master knob.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kelly/we-are-reaching-deep-within-ourselves-to-adjust-the-master-knob/) [Kevin Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kelly/) > [The more we sense...our ultimate potential, the more determined we become to achieve it. It's the difference between your mother hounding you to practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheri-l-dew/the-more-we-sense-our-ultimate-potential-the-more-determined-we/) [Sheri L. Dew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheri-l-dew/) > [Demographically, I'm a hippie from San Francisco and I'm not culturally inclined to be sympathetic to states' rights. My cultural heritage is FDR and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/demographically-i-m-a-hippie-from-san-francisco-and-i-m-not/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [I have a real low tolerance for parasites, and you're so close to the limit that I'm already reaching for the flea powder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-howard/i-have-a-real-low-tolerance-for-parasites-and-you-re-so-close-to-the/) [Linda Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-howard/) > [In his anti-Darwinian book... (and eponymously named The Neck of the Giraffe ), Francis Hitching tells the story... "The need to survive by reaching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/in-his-anti-darwinian-book-and-eponymously-named-the-neck-of-the/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [Whether it's people walking off 'The View' when Bill O'Reilly makes a statement about radical Islam or Juan Williams being fired for expressing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantor/whether-it-s-people-walking-off-the-view-when-bill-o-reilly-makes-a/) [Eric Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantor/) > [I feel as if my mission is to write, to see, to observe, and I feel lazy if I'm not reaching conclusions. I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/i-feel-as-if-my-mission-is-to-write-to-see-to-observe-and-i-feel-lazy/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [Optimism boosts your energy and focuses your sights on reaching your goals, rather than wallowing in your setbacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/optimism-boosts-your-energy-and-focuses-your-sights-on-reaching-your/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [I just wanted to jump into the stands and start celebrating with those wonderful fans. (on reaching the Champions League final)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-gerrard/i-just-wanted-to-jump-into-the-stands-and-start-celebrating-with/) [Steven Gerrard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-gerrard/) > [She was reaching the limits of how much its possible to change a man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/she-was-reaching-the-limits-of-how-much-its-possible-to-change-a-man/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [I think my soul is intact, but my methods of reaching people are completely different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-franti/i-think-my-soul-is-intact-but-my-methods-of-reaching-people-are/) [Michael Franti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-franti/) > [It was psychobabbler Abraham Maslow who wrote of the phenomena of self-actualization. What Maslow failed to grasp is that reaching true self-actualization can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/it-was-psychobabbler-abraham-maslow-who-wrote-of-the-phenomena-of/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [When you're reaching out to people beyond the scientific community, image does matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-randall/when-you-re-reaching-out-to-people-beyond-the-scientific-community/) [Lisa Randall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-randall/) > [I'm aware that because America is so powerful - with its tentacles reaching out to the world - one doesn't escape it by leaving.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-robinson/i-m-aware-that-because-america-is-so-powerful-with-its-tentacles/) [Randall Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-robinson/) > [The convictions that leaders have formed before reaching high office are the intellectual capital they will consume as long as they continue in office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/the-convictions-that-leaders-have-formed-before-reaching-high-office/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) [Browse all 1,253 Reaching quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaching/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Suffering is not in vain, yet human hands, you prevent me from reaching heights unknown to man. Red knuckled and angry, I punch both fists through clouds reaching heaven. I stumble, only a short distance, as my temporal lobes birth supernovas. When I stand my back straight, massive holes adorn the sky, all that had been hidden, now in sight. 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