Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"كل كائن موجود يولد بلا سبب، يستمر بسبب الضعف، ويموت بالصدفة"

Jean Paul Sartre
Jean Paul Sartre Philosopher
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
This quote centers on the idea that existence lacks inherent purpose, drags on due to our frailties, and ends unpredictably. It's a pretty heavy thought, isn’t it? The notion here is that life's a mix of randomness and vulnerability, with no grand design weaving it all together. We're all just here, trying to make sense of it while we can.

Historically, this idea comes from existential philosophy, notably from Jean-Paul Sartre. He was grappling with the chaos and meaninglessness that he saw in the world, particularly in the aftermath of World War II. The devastation and senselessness of the war left many questioning old certainties, and existentialism offered a lens through which to understand life’s randomness and our individual responsibility to create meaning.

Let’s put this into a real-life scenario. Think about someone who starts a business. They didn’t necessarily do it for a profound reason beyond perhaps a desire to be their own boss or to make some money. This business continues not because it’s invincible, but because the owner works tirelessly, maybe out of fear of failure or lack of better options. Then, one day, despite all the effort, an unexpected market shift or a sudden health issue causes the business to collapse. No grand plan; just randomness driving the rise and fall.

So, how do you take this rather bleak outlook and apply it to your life in a way that's not totally depressing? Well, the key is in embracing the randomness and the lack of inherent purpose. This perspective can be liberating. It means you have the freedom to create your own meaning and purpose. You’re not bound by some cosmic script. Your life is a blank canvas.

Here’s some advice: Focus on what you can control and find joy in the journey. You don't need a grand reason to do something you love or to be kind to others. Life’s fragility means every moment is precious, so don’t wait for some big revelation to start living fully. Do the things that make you feel alive and connected to the world around you.

Imagine a guy named Tim. He’s always been obsessed with finding his “one true calling.” He tries job after job, relationship after relationship, always feeling like he's missing some secret to a meaningful life. One day, he decides to take a year off to travel. Without a strict plan, he moves from place to place, meeting people, experiencing different cultures, and simply living in the moment. By the end of the year, Tim hasn't found any grand purpose, but he's found happiness in the unpredictability of life and the connections he made along the way. He realizes that meaning isn’t something you find; it’s something you create.

So, next time you're stressing about the big picture or feeling like your efforts are just prolonging an inevitable end, take a breath. Remember, it’s okay if there’s no grand plan. Embrace the randomness. Find strength in your “weakness” and appreciate the beauty in life's fleeting moments. Life may be born without reason and end by chance, but it’s the in-between where you get to paint your own picture.
Related tags
Absurdism Existence Existentialism Human condition Jean-paul sartre Meaning of life Mortality Nihilism Philosophy Randomness
MORE QUOTES BY Jean Paul Sartre
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon