--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This world is nothing. It is at best only…" description: "\"This world is nothing. It is at best only a hideous caricature, a shadow of the Real. We must go to the Real. Renunciation will take us to It. Renuncia..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/swami-vivekananda-53_bases_this-world-is-nothing-it-is-at-best-only_1707496.jpg" --- # This world is nothing. It is at best only a hideous… ![“This world is nothing. It is at best only a hideous caricature, a shadow of the Real. We must go to the Real. Renunciation will take us to It. Renunciation is the very basis of our true life; every moment of goodness and real life that we enjoy is when we do not think of ourselves.” quote by Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/swami-vivekananda-53_bases_this-world-is-nothing-it-is-at-best-only_1707496.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/swami-vivekananda-53_bases_this-world-is-nothing-it-is-at-best-only_1707496.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d78/swami-vivekananda-53_bases_this-world-is-nothing-it-is-at-best-only_1707496.jpg) > “This world is nothing. It is at best only a hideous caricature, a shadow of the Real. We must go to the Real. Renunciation will take us to It. Renunciation is the very basis of our true life; every moment of goodness and real life that we enjoy is when we do not think of ourselves.” [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The material world is a distorted illusion; true existence is found in the transcendent Real, achieved through self‑renunciation and self‑lessness. **In simple terms:** The world is an illusion; true life comes from renouncing self‑interest. Key Takeaway Practice self‑lessness to glimpse reality. Themes spirituality philosophy self‑renunciation reality illusion Mood contemplative serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily meditation - service work - ethical decision‑making - teaching others - overcoming egoism Key Concepts Advaita Vedanta non‑duality self‑transcendence Questions to Reflect On - How does self‑renunciation change your perception of success? - What practices help you detach from ego? A Different Perspective Renunciation can be socially challenging and may conflict with personal ambitions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Caricatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caricatures/) [Every moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-moment/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Real life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-life/) [Renunciation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/renunciation/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [True life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-life/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Renunciation is the very basis upon which ethics stands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/renunciation-is-the-very-basis-upon-which-ethics-stands/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Renunciation is the very basis upon which ethics stands. There never was an ethical code preached which had not renunciation for its basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/renunciation-is-the-very-basis-upon-which-ethics-stands-there-never/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Renunciation, and renunciation alone, is the real secret, the Mulamantra, of all Realisation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/renunciation-and-renunciation-alone-is-the-real-secret-the-mulamantra/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Today's cinema is a proliferation of comedies, which are in some ways creating caricature images. 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