It is in books, poems, paintings which often give us the confidence to take seriously feelings in ourselves that we might otherwise never have thought to acknowledge.
Alain De BottonRead
The price we have paid for expecting to be so much more than our ancestors is a perpetual anxiety that we are far from being all we might be.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the burdens of modern expectations compared to those of our ancestors.
Alain De Botton reflects on the anxiety that comes with the pressure to exceed the achievements and expectations of our ancestors. He suggests that while we strive for greatness and fulfillment, this constant comparison can lead to a sense of inadequacy, making us feel as though we are never truly measuring up to our potential.
Themes
AnxietyExpectationsAncestorsFulfillmentPotential
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech on personal development, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of self-acceptance and managing expectations.
More from Alain De Botton
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The more closely we analyze what we consider 'sexy,' the more clearly we will understand that eroticism is the feeling of excitement we experience at finding another human being who shares our values and our sense of the meaning of existence.
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Good books put a finger on emotions that are deeply our own - but that we could never have described on our own.
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The challenge of modern relationships: how to prove more interesting than the other's smartphone.
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It is the most ambitious and driven among us who are the most sorely in need of having our reckless hopes dampened through immersive dousings in the darkness which religions have explored. This is a particular priority for secular Americans, perhaps the most anxious and disappointed people on earth, for their nation infuses them with the most extreme hopes about what they may be able to achieve in their working lives and relationships.
Alain De BottonRead
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