Capable Quote by Vladimir Bartol
“If a person realized that everything people call happiness, love and joy was just a miscalculation based on a false premise, he'd feel a horrible emptiness inside. The only thing that could rouse him from his paralysis would be to gamble with his own face and the face of others. The person capable of that would be permitted anything.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: "Alamut", 1938
Realizing happiness is a false premise leads to existential emptiness, only radical risk can revive purpose.
In simple terms: Questioning joy creates void; risk restores meaning.
Key Takeaway
Embrace daring choices to overcome nihilism.
Themes
existentialism
risk
meaning
Mood
somber
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal crises
- high‑stakes decisions
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
philosophical nihilism
psychology of joy
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks are justified when life feels empty?
- Can meaning be found without extreme actions?
A Different Perspective
May glorify reckless behavior.
![“To reject solutionism is to transcend the narrow-minded rationalistic mindset that recasts every instance of an efficiency deficit [...] as an obstacle that needs to be overcome.” quote by Evgeny Morozov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6b0/evgeny-morozov-2995_adversity_to-reject-solutionism-is-to-transcend-th_154423.jpg)
![“[The Community's] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it is always upon nothingness that God is pleased to rear His works. If at any day we accomplish some good here, the glory will certainly be His alone, since…” quote by Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b8/theodore-guerin-54729_accomplish_the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give_7176.jpg)
