Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love.
Viktor E. FranklRead
It is the pursuit of happiness that thwarts happiness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quest for happiness can often lead to frustration and disappointment, rather than fulfillment.
This quote by Viktor E. Frankl suggests that when individuals focus too much on the act of seeking happiness, they may inadvertently hinder their ability to experience it. Frankl implies that happiness is often a byproduct of engaging fully in life's experiences, rather than a goal to be chased. Instead of pursuing happiness as an end goal, one might find it more fruitful to find meaning and purpose in their actions, which can lead to a more genuine sense of happiness.
Themes
HappinessPursuitMeaningLifeFulfillment
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech on finding joy in small moments, one could share this quote to highlight the importance of being present rather than focusing solely on happiness.
More from Viktor E. Frankl
All quotes →The crowning experience of all, for the homecoming man, is the wonderful feeling that, after all he has suffered, there is nothing he need fear anymore—except his God.
Viktor E. FranklRead
Here lies the chance for a man either to make use of or to forgo the opportunities of attaining the moral values that a difficult situation may afford him. And this decides whether he is worthy of his sufferings or not.
Viktor E. FranklRead
Logotherapy sees the human patient in all his humanness. I step up to the core of the patient's being. And that is a being in search of meaning, a being that is transcending himself, a being capable of acting in love for others.
Viktor E. FranklRead
The more one forgives himself - by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love - the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself.
Viktor E. FranklRead
Because of social pressure, individualism is rejected by most people in favor of conformity. Thus the individual relies mainly upon the actions of others and neglects the meaning of his own personal life. Hence he sees his own life as meaningless and falls into the “existential vacuum” feeling inner void. Progressive automation causes increasing alcoholism, juvenile delinquency, and suicide.
Viktor E. FranklRead
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These days, in our materialistic culture, many people are led to believe that money is the ultimate source of happiness. Consequently, when they don’t have enough of it they feel let down. Therefore, it is important to let people know that they have the source of contentment and happiness within themselves, and that it is related to nurturing our natural inner values.
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If we are not happy and joyous at this season, for what other season shall we wait and for what other time shall we look?
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A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor — such is my idea of happiness.
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