We can come to look upon the deaths of our enemies with as much regret as we feel for those of our friends, namely, when we miss their existence as witnesses to our success.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
A poet or philosopher should have no fault to find with his age if it only permits him to do his work undisturbed in his own corner; nor with his fate if the corner granted him allows of his following his vocation without having to think about other people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
An individual in creative or intellectual pursuits should find contentment if they can work without outside disturbances, regardless of societal issues.
This quote by Arthur Schopenhauer reflects the viewpoint that a poet or philosopher should not criticize their time if it allows them the freedom and peace to pursue their work in isolation. It suggests that as long as one has the opportunity to follow their passion and vocation without the burden of worrying about the problems of others, they should be satisfied with their circumstances. This highlights the importance of personal fulfillment and the value of undisturbed creativity.
Themes
CreativityPhilosophyIsolationSatisfactionVocation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire artists at a gallery exhibit to appreciate their creative process.
More from Arthur Schopenhauer
All quotes βTo be shocked at how deeply rejection hurts is to ignore what acceptance involves. We must never allow our suffering to be compounded by suggestions that there is something odd in suffering so deeply. There would be something amiss if we didn't.
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Almost all of our sorrows spring out of our relations with other people.
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Life is full of troubles and vexations, that one must either rise above it by means of corrected thoughts, or leave it.
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Our religions will never at any time take root; the ancient wisdom of the human race will not be supplanted by the events in Galilee. On the contrary, Indian wisdom flows back to Europe, and will produce a fundamental change in our knowledge and thought.
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We will gradually become indifferent to what goes on in the minds of other people when we acquire a knowledge of the superficial nature of their thoughts, the narrowness of their views and of the number of their errors. Whoever attaches a lot of value to the opinions of others pays them too much honor.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
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