Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love.
Viktor E. FranklRead
Happiness cannot be attained by wanting to be happy - it must come as the unintended consequence of working for a goal greater than oneself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True happiness arises not from the desire for happiness itself, but from pursuing meaningful goals.
This quote by Viktor E. Frankl emphasizes that genuine happiness is a byproduct of striving for something larger than oneself, rather than directly chasing happiness as an end goal. It suggests that fulfillment and joy stem from commitment and dedication to meaningful pursuits, which ultimately enrich our lives.
Themes
HappinessGoalsMeaningPurposeFulfillment
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech to inspire others to pursue meaningful goals.
More from Viktor E. Frankl
All quotes →The crowning experience of all, for the homecoming man, is the wonderful feeling that, after all he has suffered, there is nothing he need fear anymore—except his God.
Viktor E. FranklRead
Here lies the chance for a man either to make use of or to forgo the opportunities of attaining the moral values that a difficult situation may afford him. And this decides whether he is worthy of his sufferings or not.
Viktor E. FranklRead
It is the pursuit of happiness that thwarts happiness.
Viktor E. FranklRead
Logotherapy sees the human patient in all his humanness. I step up to the core of the patient's being. And that is a being in search of meaning, a being that is transcending himself, a being capable of acting in love for others.
Viktor E. FranklRead
The more one forgives himself - by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love - the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself.
Viktor E. FranklRead
Similar quotes
The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.
Eric HofferRead
There's nothing in the world like that first taste of beer.
John SteinbeckRead
Being happy or unhappy - is that really the most important thing? Knowing the truth would be a different kind of happiness - a more satisfying kind, I think, even if it turned out to be a sad kind.
Ira LevinRead
Always keep your smile. That's how I explain my long life.
Jeanne CalmentRead
If I can bring joy into the world, if I can get people to stop thinking about their pain for a moment, or the fact the tomorrow morning they're going to get up and tell their boss off... then I'll be successful.
Bobby McferrinRead
Let's just try to have a marvelous time this weekend. I mean not try to analyze everything to death for once, if possible. Especially me. I love you.
J. D. SalingerRead