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
The last of human freedoms - the ability to chose one's attitude especially an attitude of gratitude in a given set of circumstances especially in difficult circumstances.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We have the freedom to choose our attitude and perspective, even in challenging situations.
This quote emphasizes the profound power that individuals possess in choosing their own attitudes, particularly during tough times. Frankl suggests that while we may not have control over our circumstances, we can decide how we respond to them, highlighting the importance of maintaining a grateful and positive outlook despite difficulties.
Themes
FreedomAttitudeGratitudeCircumstancesChoice
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming adversity, this quote can inspire the audience to focus on their reactions.
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.
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It is the pursuit of happiness that thwarts happiness.
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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
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