--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We ought to be grateful that the Universe…" description: "\"We ought to be grateful that the Universe out there knows no smile.\" — Werner Herzog" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/werner-herzog-964_be-grateful_we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-univers_854790.jpg" --- # We ought to be grateful that the Universe out there knows… ![“We ought to be grateful that the Universe out there knows no smile.” quote by Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/werner-herzog-964_be-grateful_we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-univers_854790.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/werner-herzog-964_be-grateful_we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-univers_854790.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/werner-herzog-964_be-grateful_we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-univers_854790.jpg) > “We ought to be grateful that the Universe out there knows no smile.” [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The universe is indifferent, lacking human emotions like smiling. **In simple terms:** The cosmos is emotionless. Key Takeaway Accept cosmic indifference. Themes existence humility cosmos Mood melancholic contemplative Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - stargazing - philosophical reflection - creative writing Key Concepts philosophy science existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How do you find comfort in an indifferent universe? - Can we project emotions onto nature? A Different Perspective Human desire for meaning may clash with this view. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-grateful/) [Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Knows Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows-smile-787032/) [Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought/) [Ought Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought-grateful-483133/) [Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smile/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Universe Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe-knows-787031/) ## Related quotes > [Sir, they are a race of convicts and ought to be grateful for anything we allow them short of hanging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/sir-they-are-a-race-of-convicts-and-ought-to-be-grateful-for-anything/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [ I don't feel any vulgar gratitude to you\[for helping me\]. I almost feel as if You ought to be grateful to ME, for giving… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-don-t-feel-any-vulgar-gratitude-to-you-for-helping-me-i-almost-feel/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Instead I ought to be grateful to Him who never owed me anything for having been so generous to me, rather than think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/instead-i-ought-to-be-grateful-to-him-who-never-owed-me-anything-for/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [Everyone knows how to smile. Its one of the greatest gifts God has given us. A smile makes people feel good, and people look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/everyone-knows-how-to-smile-its-one-of-the-greatest-gifts-god-has/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Knows that a smile is a language that even babies understand ... it costs nothing, yet gives much; takes only a moment, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/knows-that-a-smile-is-a-language-that-even-babies-understand-it-costs/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [The God knows when to smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/the-god-knows-when-to-smile/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [I knows one day my name is forgotten but believe me whenever my name came in minds of my friends, my family and everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-zahoor/i-knows-one-day-my-name-is-forgotten-but-believe-me-whenever-my-name/) [Bilal Zahoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bilal-zahoor/) > [“The universe knows someone is missing, and slowly it attempts to replace him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/the-universe-knows-someone-is-missing-and-slowly-it-attempts-to/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [One of my favorite French singers, Alain Bashung, was the expert at creating his own universe; no one knows what he's talking about, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mars/one-of-my-favorite-french-singers-alain-bashung-was-the-expert-at/) [Thomas Mars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mars/) > [“God gave us His Word because as our Creator and the Creator of the universe, He alone knows how life was meant to work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/community-bible-study/god-gave-us-his-word-because-as-our-creator-and-the-creator-of-the/) [Community Bible Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/community-bible-study/) > [The secret of poetry is never explained,— is always new. We have not got farther than mere wonder at the delicacy of the touch,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-secret-of-poetry-is-never-explained-is-always-new-we-have-not-got-2/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The universe knows the perfect timing for all those things you want and will find, through the crack of least resistance, the best way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/the-universe-knows-the-perfect-timing-for-all-those-things-you-want/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [The secret of poetry is never explained - is always new. We have not got farther than mere wonder at the delicacy of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-secret-of-poetry-is-never-explained-is-always-new-we-have-not-got/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The WWE Universe knows exactly what they're doing. I trust them. I believe in this system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-cargill/the-wwe-universe-knows-exactly-what-they-re-doing-i-trust-them-i/) [Jade Cargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-cargill/) > [“I hate her.” “Yes. I know. In fact, I think the entire universe knows.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-laurenston/i-hate-her-yes-i-know-in-fact-i-think-the-entire-universe-knows/) [Shelly Laurenston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-laurenston/) ## More by Werner Herzog > [If your project has real substance, ultimately the money will follow you like a common cur in the street with its tail between its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/if-your-project-has-real-substance-ultimately-the-money-will-follow/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [Every man should pull a boat over a mountain once in his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/every-man-should-pull-a-boat-over-a-mountain-once-in-his-life/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [I know whenever it comes to be really dysfunctional and vile and base and hostile on screen, I'm good at that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/i-know-whenever-it-comes-to-be-really-dysfunctional-and-vile-and-base/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [When we speak about trespassing, we speak about artistic trespassing. You have to be prudent and have common sense and a sense of responsibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/when-we-speak-about-trespassing-we-speak-about-artistic-trespassing/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [If you want to propose marriage to your girlfriend and you live in England and she is in Sicily, do the decent thing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/if-you-want-to-propose-marriage-to-your-girlfriend-and-you-live-in/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [I'm a very circumspect and prudent person, and I eliminate danger as far as it can be done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/i-m-a-very-circumspect-and-prudent-person-and-i-eliminate-danger-as/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [It is not only my dreams, my belief is that all these dreams are yours as well. The only distinction between me and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/it-is-not-only-my-dreams-my-belief-is-that-all-these-dreams-are-yours/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [My non-fiction films are pretty much fiction, or at least close... It's all "movies" for me. I never have searched for a subject. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/my-non-fiction-films-are-pretty-much-fiction-or-at-least-close-it-s/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [If an actor knows how to milk a cow, I always know it will not be difficult to be in business with him,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/if-an-actor-knows-how-to-milk-a-cow-i-always-know-it-will-not-be/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [ِِِِِِِِِِArt house theaters are vanishing. They have almost disappeared completely, and that means there's a shift in what audiences want to see. And they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/art-house-theaters-are-vanishing-they-have-almost-disappeared/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [I always had a feeling, for example, that there should be something from Verdi's "Requiem" in the film. You hear it when you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/i-always-had-a-feeling-for-example-that-there-should-be-something/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [Along with this rapid growth of forms of communication at our disposal - be it fax, phone, email, Internet or whatever - human solitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/along-with-this-rapid-growth-of-forms-of-communication-at-our/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [ I had complete freedom. They \[Netflix\] knew roughly what I was doing. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/i-had-complete-freedom-they-netflix-knew-roughly-what-i-was-doing/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [For example, the face of Nicole Kidman in Queen of the Desert and she is the most beautiful goddess on screen that you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/for-example-the-face-of-nicole-kidman-in-queen-of-the-desert-and-she/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [I have always postulated that we have to find a new way to deal with reality. It's not so much facts that interest me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/i-have-always-postulated-that-we-have-to-find-a-new-way-to-deal-with/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) [Explore all 318 Werner Herzog quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) ## More Be grateful quotes > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can be played all different kinds of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/kenny-g-i-have-to-be-grateful-to-him-for-proving-that-the-instrument/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Often I'm told I'm an inspiration to people which I will forever be grateful for. But the reality is that I'm only able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzie-velasquez/often-i-m-told-i-m-an-inspiration-to-people-which-i-will-forever-be/) [Lizzie Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzie-velasquez/) > [Focus on being grateful for what you have already .. enjoy it!! Then release into the universe. The universe will manifest it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/focus-on-being-grateful-for-what-you-have-already-enjoy-it-then/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [The Americans say that we are ungrateful-but I ask them for heaven's sake, what should we be grateful to them for-for murdering our fathers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walker/the-americans-say-that-we-are-ungrateful-but-i-ask-them-for-heaven-s/) [David Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walker/) > [My first encounter with yoga was in 1969 with my older brother Doug. I was thirteen years old, and he was eighteen. He'd learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-swensen/my-first-encounter-with-yoga-was-in-1969-with-my-older-brother-doug-i/) [David F. Swensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-swensen/) > [Just remember: to be grateful and thank the people who are there and support you along the way is a great start to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-davis/just-remember-to-be-grateful-and-thank-the-people-who-are-there-and/) [Meryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-davis/) > [Be calm, be strong, be grateful, and become a lamp full of light, that the darkness of sorrows be annihilated, and that the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdu-l-bah/be-calm-be-strong-be-grateful-and-become-a-lamp-full-of-light-that/) [Abdu'l-Bahá](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdu-l-bah/) > [Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another for there will always be others whose lives on the face of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/enjoy-your-own-life-without-comparing-it-with-that-of-another-for/) [Nicolas de Caritat, marquis de Condorcet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/) > [Speak what I have to be grateful for when I get up and when I lie down to sleep. Meditation and prayer. I pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-taylor/speak-what-i-have-to-be-grateful-for-when-i-get-up-and-when-i-lie/) [Regina Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-taylor/) > [Be grateful for the love you have to share-share it, and it will return to you ten times over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-praagh/be-grateful-for-the-love-you-have-to-share-share-it-and-it-will/) [James Van Praagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-praagh/) > [There are those who say that trees shade the garden too much, and interfere with the growth of the vegetables. There may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/there-are-those-who-say-that-trees-shade-the-garden-too-much-and/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [Kids aint supposed to be grateful! They're supposed to eat your food, break your heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kripke/kids-aint-supposed-to-be-grateful-they-re-supposed-to-eat-your-food/) [Eric Kripke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kripke/) > [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) [Browse all 602 Be grateful quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-grateful/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We ought to be grateful that the Universe out there knows no smile.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Werner Herzog" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-universe-out-there-knows-no-smile/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Be grateful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-universe-out-there-knows-no-smile/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/werner-herzog-964_be-grateful_we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-univers_854790.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/werner-herzog-964_be-grateful_we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-univers_854790.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/werner-herzog-964_be-grateful_we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-univers_854790.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We ought to be grateful that the Universe out there knows no smile.” — Werner Herzog", "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": "Werner Herzog", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We ought to be grateful that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-universe-out-there-knows-no-smile/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/we-ought-to-be-grateful-that-the-universe-out-there-knows-no-smile/#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 } } ] } ```