We can come to look upon the deaths of our enemies with as much regret as we feel for those of our friends, namely, when we miss their existence as witnesses to our success.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
The greatest wisdom is to make the enjoyment of the present the supreme object of life; because that is the only reality, all else being merely the play of thought. On the other hand, such a course might just as well be called the greatest folly: for that which in the next moment exists no more, and vanishes utterly, like a dream, can never be worth a serious effort.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True wisdom lies in embracing the present, but this pursuit can also be seen as folly since the present moment fades quickly.
This quote by Arthur Schopenhauer reflects on the paradox of living in the moment. While he suggests that the greatest wisdom is in finding joy in the present, he also acknowledges the fleeting nature of those moments, suggesting that investing serious effort into something so ephemeral can be seen as foolish. Essentially, it emphasizes the struggle between valuing present experiences and recognizing their transient quality.
Themes
WisdomPresentJoyLifeTransience
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about mindfulness and appreciating life.
More from Arthur Schopenhauer
All quotes βTo be shocked at how deeply rejection hurts is to ignore what acceptance involves. We must never allow our suffering to be compounded by suggestions that there is something odd in suffering so deeply. There would be something amiss if we didn't.
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Almost all of our sorrows spring out of our relations with other people.
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Life is full of troubles and vexations, that one must either rise above it by means of corrected thoughts, or leave it.
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Our religions will never at any time take root; the ancient wisdom of the human race will not be supplanted by the events in Galilee. On the contrary, Indian wisdom flows back to Europe, and will produce a fundamental change in our knowledge and thought.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
We will gradually become indifferent to what goes on in the minds of other people when we acquire a knowledge of the superficial nature of their thoughts, the narrowness of their views and of the number of their errors. Whoever attaches a lot of value to the opinions of others pays them too much honor.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
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