Schopenhauer's Quotes
What is done is done. That is, after an irreparable misfortune, you must not burn your body and mind with thoughts like "it could have ended without turning out this way" or "if I had been a little more careful, there would have been a way." Such thoughts only make the pain unbearably greater. The result ends in being buried in pessimism. Therefore, let us quickly forget past misfortunes that can no longer be changed. Rather, use them as a stepping stone to leap farther.
Ordinary people care about spending time; talented people pay attention to making use of it.
Only the present is true and real. The present is the time that is genuinely substantial, and our present life lies entirely in the present. Therefore, we should always cheerfully accept the present. Thus, whenever a tolerable moment is given that brings no direct displeasure or pain, it is good to enjoy it as it is. In other words, we should not frown and darken the present over past failures or anxieties about the future. It is not bad to spend some time on worry and regret. But as for what has already passed, no matter how painful it is, let it remain in the past. No matter how agonizing, calm your heaving heart. This is the right way of thinking. And as for the future, think of it as being in God's will. On the contrary, for the present, understand the saying "Know each day as a lifetime," and spend this real time as pleasantly as possible.
A brave person never falls before heaven and earth turn upside down. He sees a thread of hope in any matter and leaps toward the rough waves. For such a person, life is not an object of fear. But most people are afraid, conscious of the heavy dark clouds rather than the small light. Dark clouds are bound to clear. Those with true courage will throw everything they have into striving for that small light.
Human beings do not know they are happy while they are happy; only when misfortune comes do they realize that they had been happy.
A good and wise person feels satisfaction even in unfortunate circumstances, while a greedy and foolish person cannot enjoy satisfaction even if he possesses countless riches. -Schopenhauer
What religion ultimately wants to tell us is the immortality of man. But if human eternal life were confirmed, fervent faith in God would cool in an instant; conversely, if it were clearly revealed that eternal life is impossible, no one would pay any attention to religion.
Each individual has a mirror in others that reflects himself.
Marriage is halving a man's rights and doubling his duties.
Conviction is like love: it cannot be forced. -Schopenhauer
If there is a God, I would not want to be that God, because the world's tragedy would tear my heart apart.
Religion is like a firefly: it needs darkness in order to shine.
Hatred comes from the heart, contempt from the head. Neither feeling can be completely suppressed.
Intellect is invisible to those who do not possess it.
Wealth is like seawater: the more you drink, the thirstier you become.
People devote their minds to acquiring wealth several thousand times more than to cultivating their brains or hearts. Yet what undoubtedly helps our happiness is what a person has within himself, rather than what he has outside.
Fame is something to be acquired, while honor is something one must not lose. Losing fame is passive—losing a name; but losing honor is disgrace—active. Losing honor is losing life itself, because when one loses honor, he is as good as dead.
Few friends are lost by refusing to lend money, but on the contrary, it is easier to lose a friend by lending money.
A true thinker resembles a monarch. He holds an independent position without borrowing others' power and acknowledges no one who tries to stand above him. His judgments, like a monarch's decisions, are passed from his own absolute authority and have their basis in himself. That is, just as a monarch does not approve others' commands, a thinker does not acknowledge authority and approves nothing except what he himself has verified as true.
Suppress imaginings about happiness and misfortune. They are like sandcastles. Imaginary sandcastles only waste much passion. Buildings built by imagination are so futile that they collapse with a single sigh. But what you must guard against even more is worrying by imagining misfortune. Never worry in advance before misfortune is right before your eyes—that is the action of the wise.
A life without pain and at the same time without boredom is the happiest life. That is the very peak of happiness.
Topics: Schopenhauer
Category: Scrap/Quote