--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You cannot discover the purpose of life…" description: "\"You cannot discover the purpose of life by asking someone else - the only way you'll ever get the right answer is by asking yourself\" — Terri Guillemets" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/terri-guillemets-39447_asking_you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life_390096.jpg" --- # You cannot discover the purpose of life by asking someone… ![“You cannot discover the purpose of life by asking someone else - the only way you'll ever get the right answer is by asking yourself” quote by Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/terri-guillemets-39447_asking_you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life_390096.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/terri-guillemets-39447_asking_you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life_390096.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/terri-guillemets-39447_asking_you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life_390096.jpg) > “You cannot discover the purpose of life by asking someone else - the only way you'll ever get the right answer is by asking yourself” [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑reflection is presented as the only reliable way to discover life's purpose, rather than relying on others. **In simple terms:** Find purpose by asking yourself, not others. Key Takeaway Look inward for answers. Themes self‑discovery purpose independence Mood contemplative motivational Type philosophical self‑help When to use this quote - career planning - spiritual practice - life coaching Key Concepts philosophy personal development existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What questions reveal your true purpose? - How do you differentiate inner voice from noise? A Different Perspective External advice can still be helpful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking/) [Asking Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking-way-3520785/) [Discover Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discover-purpose-655519/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Asking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-asking-971588/) [Purpose Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-life/) [Purpose of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [“you can't go around telling people, 'I'm on a mission to discover the purpose of life.' Not if you're hoping to prolong the conversation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ehrenreich/you-can-t-go-around-telling-people-i-m-on-a-mission-to-discover-the/) [Barbara Ehrenreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ehrenreich/) > [“The way is yours for the asking - the way is yours for the taking. The way is as it should be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hackel/the-way-is-yours-for-the-asking-the-way-is-yours-for-the-taking-the/) [Karen Hackel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hackel/) > [“Be fully receptive to what you're asking for. That is the only way it'll come towards you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-s-baker/be-fully-receptive-to-what-you-re-asking-for-that-is-the-only-way-it/) [Robin S. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-s-baker/) > [“Don’t be too engrossed with things of the world; discover your purpose in life”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/don-t-be-too-engrossed-with-things-of-the-world-discover-your-purpose/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [You don't decide what your purpose is in life you discover it. Your purpose is your reason for living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/you-don-t-decide-what-your-purpose-is-in-life-you-discover-it-your/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“To discover you purpose in life you must turn to God's Word, not the world's wisdom. You must build your life on eternal truths,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/to-discover-you-purpose-in-life-you-must-turn-to-god-s-word-not-the/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [“Life is too serious and precious for it to be left to chance. You have to make it your project to discover your purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-s-mashego/life-is-too-serious-and-precious-for-it-to-be-left-to-chance-you-have/) [D.S. Mashego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-s-mashego/) > [“You can never truly become great if you do not discover your purpose in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/you-can-never-truly-become-great-if-you-do-not-discover-your-purpose/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [“Aim to discover your purpose in life, so that you can start working toward its manifestation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denesha-sheree/aim-to-discover-your-purpose-in-life-so-that-you-can-start-working/) [Denesha Sheree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denesha-sheree/) > [Whenever I mentor people and help them discover their purpose, I always encourage them to start the process by discovering their strengths, not exploring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/whenever-i-mentor-people-and-help-them-discover-their-purpose-i/) [John C. 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But its purpose is to play, to enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-herzen/we-think-the-purpose-of-a-child-is-to-grow-up-because-it-does-grow-up/) [Alexander Herzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-herzen/) > [I used to believe the purpose in life is to find happiness. I don’t believe that anymore. I believe we are all given gifts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-rivers/i-used-to-believe-the-purpose-in-life-is-to-find-happiness-i-don-t/) [Francine Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-rivers/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) ## More by Terri Guillemets > [The past can't see you, but the future is listening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/the-past-can-t-see-you-but-the-future-is-listening/) [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) > [The stars swirl downward from the blissful heavens, energy of the universe heals around me, exploding into life, drifting into calmness, and nothing else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/the-stars-swirl-downward-from-the-blissful-heavens-energy-of-the/) [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) > [Good fortune shies away from gloom. Keep your spirits up. Good things will come to you and you will come to good things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/good-fortune-shies-away-from-gloom-keep-your-spirits-up-good-things/) [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) > [Life's not always fair. Sometimes you can get a splinter even sliding down a rainbow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/life-s-not-always-fair-sometimes-you-can-get-a-splinter-even-sliding/) [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) > [I was so in the present moment the past was no longer part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/i-was-so-in-the-present-moment-the-past-was-no-longer-part-of-me/) [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) > [Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/those-we-love-and-lose-are-always-connected-by-heartstrings-into/) [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) > [Some colors exist in dreams that are not present in the waking spectrum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/some-colors-exist-in-dreams-that-are-not-present-in-the-waking/) [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) > [If I had to sum up Friendship in one word, it would be Comfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/if-i-had-to-sum-up-friendship-in-one-word-it-would-be-comfort/) [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) > [It was the tiniest thing I ever decided to put my whole life into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/it-was-the-tiniest-thing-i-ever-decided-to-put-my-whole-life-into/) [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) > [I hated him with a passion so deep, sometimes it felt like love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/i-hated-him-with-a-passion-so-deep-sometimes-it-felt-like-love/) [Terri Guillemets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) [Explore all 11 Terri Guillemets quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/) ## More Asking quotes > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [And in your new lives you'll have to live entirely for that one sensation-that of imminent truth. And you're going to have to holler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/and-in-your-new-lives-you-ll-have-to-live-entirely-for-that-one/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“Stop asking yourself how or why and tell yourself you can." - Charmainism”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charmaine-smith-ladd/stop-asking-yourself-how-or-why-and-tell-yourself-you-can-charmainism/) [Charmaine Smith Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charmaine-smith-ladd/) > [Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer to anyone who was listening, asking please, for God's sake, stop sending him signals that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/closing-his-eyes-he-sent-up-a-prayer-to-anyone-who-was-listening/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [People will identify with a persecuted minority without asking themselves what they are identifying with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/people-will-identify-with-a-persecuted-minority-without-asking/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [If you're having a bad day already and everybody is just asking you petty questions, it drives people to the edge, or something really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-weixler/if-you-re-having-a-bad-day-already-and-everybody-is-just-asking-you/) [Jess Weixler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-weixler/) > [You never give away your heart; you lend it from time to time. If it were not so, how could we take it back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/you-never-give-away-your-heart-you-lend-it-from-time-to-time-if-it/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [I'm not asking people to feel sorry for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-abramoff/i-m-not-asking-people-to-feel-sorry-for-me/) [Jack Abramoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-abramoff/) > [The boldness of asking deep questions may require unforeseen flexibility if we are to accept the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/the-boldness-of-asking-deep-questions-may-require-unforeseen/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [Use Google Before Asking A Stupid Question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muskaan/use-google-before-asking-a-stupid-question/) [Muskaan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muskaan/) > [There were people asking 'Can women be funny?' People still ask that. It's like asking: 'Can women breathe in and out?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-walters/there-were-people-asking-can-women-be-funny-people-still-ask-that-it/) [Julie Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-walters/) > [Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/whether-that-s-speaking-up-in-your-job-or-asking-for-a-promotion-or/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [Love cannot be had for the asking; it comes only as a gift from the heart of another](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/love-cannot-be-had-for-the-asking-it-comes-only-as-a-gift-from-the/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [The Baseball Hall of Fame is something every player dreams about, but being a member of God's Hall of Fame is the greatest achievement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-carter/the-baseball-hall-of-fame-is-something-every-player-dreams-about-but/) [Gary Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-carter/) > [“In such a regime, I say you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murdered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/in-such-a-regime-i-say-you-died-a-good-death-if-your-life-had/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Browse all 3,313 Asking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You cannot discover the purpose of life by asking someone else - the only way you'll ever get the right answer is by asking yourself", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Terri Guillemets" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life-by-asking-someone-else-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asking" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life-by-asking-someone-else-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/terri-guillemets-39447_asking_you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life_390096.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/terri-guillemets-39447_asking_you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life_390096.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f91/terri-guillemets-39447_asking_you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life_390096.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You cannot discover the purpose of life by asking someone else - the only way you'll ever get the right…” — Terri Guillemets", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Terri Guillemets", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-guillemets/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You cannot discover the purpose of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life-by-asking-someone-else-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-guillemets/you-cannot-discover-the-purpose-of-life-by-asking-someone-else-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```