A man can only attain knowledge with the help of those who possess it. This must be understood from the very beginning. One must learn from him who knows.
George GurdjieffRead
A man will renounce any pleasures you like but he will not give up his suffering.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People may abandon various pleasures, but they struggle to let go of their suffering.
This quote suggests that while individuals may be willing to forsake external joys and pleasures, they often cling to their internal suffering and pain. It highlights the complex relationship people have with their emotions, where suffering becomes a part of their identity and can be harder to relinquish than material or sensory pleasures.
Themes
SufferingPleasureIdentityEmotionPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about mental health, one might quote this to emphasize how people often hold onto their pain.
More from George Gurdjieff
All quotes βA man is never the same for long. He is continually changing. He seldom remains the same even for half an hour.
George GurdjieffRead
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