--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The meaning of life differs from man to…" description: "\"“The meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day, from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but ra..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/viktor-e-frankl-668_answer-to-life_the-meaning-of-life-differs-from-man-to_1771098.jpg" --- # The meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to… ![“The meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day, from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment. To put the question in general terms would be to the question posed to a chess…” quote by Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/viktor-e-frankl-668_answer-to-life_the-meaning-of-life-differs-from-man-to_1771098.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/viktor-e-frankl-668_answer-to-life_the-meaning-of-life-differs-from-man-to_1771098.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/viktor-e-frankl-668_answer-to-life_the-meaning-of-life-differs-from-man-to_1771098.jpg) > ““The meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day, from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment. To put the question in general terms would be to the question posed to a chess champion: "Tell me, Master, what is the best move in the world?" There simply is no such thing as the best or even a good move apart from a particular situation in a game and the particular personality of one's opponent. The same holds for human existence. One should not search for an abstract meaning of life. Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life to carry out a concrete assignment which demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone's task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it. As each situation in life represents a challenge to man and presents a problem for him to solve, the question of the meaning of life may actually be reversed. Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.”” [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life’s purpose is personal and situational, not a universal abstract; each person must discover their own specific meaning through responsibility. **In simple terms:** Meaning is personal and depends on the moment. Key Takeaway Seek and act on your unique purpose. Themes meaning responsibility existentialism Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career decisions - personal crises - daily reflections - goal setting - volunteering Key Concepts purpose individuality choice authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What personal purpose drives you now? - How do you respond to life’s challenges? A Different Perspective Abstract meaning can be vague and unhelpful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Answer to life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answer-to-life/) [Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess/) [Human existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-existence/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life in general](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-in-general/) [Man To Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-to-man/) [Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning/) [Meaning of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [Each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/each-man-is-questioned-by-life-and-he-can-only-answer-to-life-by/) [Viktor E. 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Frankl quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) ## More Answer to life quotes > [The Ultimate Answer to Life, The Universe and Everything is...42!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/the-ultimate-answer-to-life-the-universe-and-everything-is-42/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [The answer to life is 42, Seperate 42 and put it in Japanese, 4 is She 2 is nee, Put Shenee Together In Japanese…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/my/the-answer-to-life-is-42-seperate-42-and-put-it-in-japanese-4-is-she/) My > [No matter how much we try to run away from this thirst for the answer to life, for the meaning of life, the intensity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/no-matter-how-much-we-try-to-run-away-from-this-thirst-for-the-answer/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [I cannot stress enough that the answer to life's questions is often in people's faces. 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One should not search for an abstract meaning of life. Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life to carry out a concrete assignment which demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone's task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it. As each situation in life represents a challenge to man and presents a problem for him to solve, the question of the meaning of life may actually be reversed. Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Viktor E. 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