Causes Quote by Swami Vivekananda
“Pleasure is not the goal of man, but knowledge. Pleasure and happiness comes to an end. It is a mistake to suppose that pleasure is the goal. The cause of all the miseries we have in the world is that men foolishly think pleasure to be the ideal to strive for. After a time man finds that it is not happiness, but knowledge, towards which he is going, and that both pleasure and pain are great teachers.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, 1900s
Human fulfillment comes from seeking truth and understanding, not merely chasing pleasure; both joy and suffering teach us.
In simple terms: Knowledge, not pleasure, is life's true aim.
Key Takeaway
Pursue wisdom over fleeting pleasure.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
ethics
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- personal development
- spiritual practice
- mental health
Key Concepts
epistemology
hedonism
growth mindset
Questions to Reflect On
- How does knowledge change your view of pleasure?
- What lessons can pain teach you?
A Different Perspective
Pleasure can still be valuable when balanced with insight.
![“Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from ear to ear. So I don’t want to mess up, [be]cause she’s smiling. Seeing my mom happy is kind of like an overwhelming feeling.” quote by Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/477/chris-brown-1887_causes_well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-w_4699.jpg)