Art Quote by Viktor E. Frankl
““The attempt to develop a sense of humor and to see things in a humorous light is some kind of a trick learned while mastering the art of living. Yet it is possible to practice the art of living even in a concentration camp, although suffering is omnipresent. To draw an analogy: a man's suffering is similar to the behavior of gas. If a certain quantity of gas is pumped into an empty chamber, it will fill the chamber completely and evenly, no matter how big the chamber. Thus suffering completely fills the human soul and conscious mind, no matter whether the suffering is great or little. Therefore the "size" of human suffering is absolutely relative.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Man’s Search for Meaning, 1946
Suffering expands to fill any mental space, making its magnitude relative to the person.
In simple terms: Suffering fills the mind regardless of size.
Key Takeaway
Accept suffering, focus on meaning.
Themes
existentialism
resilience
psychology
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- prisoner of war
- terminal illness
- personal trauma
- daily stress
Key Concepts
logotherapy
relative perception
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you find meaning amid unavoidable pain?
- What practices help keep perspective when suffering feels all‑consuming?
A Different Perspective
Suffering can be overwhelming and may hinder meaning‑making.
![“Physical, emotional, and mental pain are inevitable in life. Suffering is another matter. Suffering is the personalization we bring to our difficulties. [We have no control over the actions of another, but we do have control over our own reactions to them.]” quote by Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fc/judith-hanson-lasater-12396_life_physical-emotional-and-mental-pain-are-i_1708784.jpg)
