Belief like any other moving body follows the path of least resistance.
Samuel ButlerRead
Is life worth living? This is a question for an embryo not for a man.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that questioning the value of life is a natural concern for those yet to experience it, rather than adults who have lived and learned.
Samuel Butler's quote reflects on the philosophical inquiry into the value of life. It implies that the question of whether life is worth living is more fitting for those who have not yet lived (like an embryo, who is yet to experience existence) rather than for a fully realized person. For adults, the richness of life experience often provides answers to such existential questions, suggesting that lifeβs worth is derived from lived experiences, challenges, and personal growth.
Themes
LifeValueExistencePhilosophyExperience
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about resilience, one might say, 'Is life worth living? This question asks us to reflect on our experiences and find meaning in them.'
More from Samuel Butler
All quotes βTo know God better is only to realize how impossible it is that we should ever know him at all. I know not which is more childish to deny him, or define him.
Samuel ButlerRead
Academic and aristocratic people live in such an uncommon atmosphere that common sense can rarely reach them.
Samuel ButlerRead
An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.
Samuel ButlerRead
Young people have a marvelous faculty of either dying or adapting themselves to circumstances.
Samuel ButlerRead
People care more about being thought to have taste than about being thought either good, clever or amiable.
Samuel ButlerRead
Similar quotes
I hold that while man exists, it is his duty to improve not only his own condition, but to assist in ameliorating mankind.
Abraham LincolnRead
I know that as a very young child, I was afraid of death. Many children become aware of the notion of death early and it can be a very troubling thing. We're all in this continuum: I'm this age now, and if I live long enough I'll be that age. I was 20 once, I was 10, I was 4. People who are 20 now will be 50 one day. They don't know that! They know it in the abstract, but they don't know it. I'd like them to know it, because I think it gives you compassion.
Charlie KaufmanRead
A man who fears not God, will break all his laws with an easy conscience, but one who is the favorite of heaven, who has been indulged to sit at royal banquets, who knows the eternal love of God to him, cannot bear that there should be any evil way in him that might grieve the Spirit and bring dishonor to the name of Christ. A very little sin, as the world calls it, is a very great sin to a truly awakened Christian.
Charles SpurgeonRead
Sin contains its own judgement and punishment.
Dalai LamaRead
I confused things with their names: that is belief.
Jean-Paul SartreRead
That proves you are unusual,' returned the Scarecrow; 'and I am convinced that the only people worthy of consideration in this world are the unusual ones. For the common folks are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed.
L. Frank BaumRead