Bears Quote by Viktor E. Frankl
“What is demanded of man is not, as some existential philosophers teach, to endure the meaninglessness of life, but rather to bear his incapacity to grasp its unconditional meaningfulness in rational terms.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, 1946
Human beings must confront the inability to rationally prove life's absolute meaning, yet still bear that uncertainty.
In simple terms: We cannot fully rationalize life's meaning, but must accept it.
Key Takeaway
Embrace meaning through personal values.
Themes
meaning
existentialism
acceptance
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
self‑help
When to use this quote
- therapy
- personal development
- spiritual practice
- education
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal values give your life meaning?
- How do you cope with the unknown aspects of meaning?
A Different Perspective
Rational proof is not required for a meaningful life.
![“It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life. What man needs is [...] the existential dynamics in a polar field of tension…” quote by Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ff1/viktor-e-frankl-668_life_it-did-not-really-matter-what-we-expecte_745144.jpg)
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)
