It does not follow that the meaning must be given from above; that life and suffering must come neatly labeled; that nothing is worth while if the world is not governed by a purpose.
Walter KaufmannRead
Life ceases to be so oppressive: we are free to give our own lives meaning and purpose, free to redeem our suffering by making something of it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We have the ability to give meaning to our lives despite suffering.
This quote speaks to the power of human agency in defining our own existence. It suggests that although life can sometimes feel burdensome, we possess the freedom to create purpose and meaning from our experiences, especially those that involve hardship and suffering. By doing so, we can transform our challenges into opportunities for growth and fulfillment.
Themes
LifeFreedomMeaningSufferingPurpose
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in a motivational speech about personal growth.
More from Walter Kaufmann
All quotes βThe only theism worthy of our respect believes in God not because of the way the world is made but in spite of that. The only theism that is no less profound than the Buddha's atheism is that represented in the Bible by Job and Jeremiah.
Walter KaufmannRead
Success is no proof of virtue. In the case of a book, quick acclaim is presumptive evidence of a lack of substance and originality.
Walter KaufmannRead
Man stands alone in the universe, responsible for his condition, likely to remain in a lowly state, but free to reach above the stars.
Walter KaufmannRead
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