“If you are depressed you are living in the past, if you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” – Lao Tzu
What’s the meaning of life? This puzzle is what confronts us every time we feel life is not going according to our plans.
It is also the same question we ask ourselves as we seek to discover our true purpose in life. Deep in the meaning of important philosophical quotes about life lies the essence of living.
When you start searching for the meaning of life, you’re ideally looking for your life’s purpose. Life isn’t just a mere existence. Each one of us was created for a purpose. If you can discover your mission in life, then you’ll find more happiness.
Philosophical Quotes Images
Life indeed is a profound philosophical phenomenon. It is simple yet it appears complicated. However, with our compilation of philosophical quotes about life, love, and happiness, you don’t have to get distracted as you look for your life’s endeavor. Philosophical quotes are often associated with great world leaders in various fields.
Philosophical Quotes
The philosophy of one century is the common sense of the next.
Ride the energy of your own unique spirit.
There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.
Philosophy should quicken life, not deaden it.
To believe only possibilities is not faith, but mere Philosophy.
Philosophy must indeed recognize the possibility that the people rise to it, but must not lower itself to the people.
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
Prejudices are what fools use for reason.
Philosophy is common sense with big words.
Never form a friendship with a man who is not better than you.
It is the privilege of true genius, And especially genius who opens up a new path, To make great mistakes with impunity.
You can’t do without philosophy, since everything has its hidden meaning which we must know.
It is undesirable to believe a proposition when there is no ground whatever for supposing it true.
There is no good in arguing with the inevitable. The only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat.
Philosophical Quotes About Life
Philosophy, a route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing.
One cannot step twice in the same river.
When it is obvious that goals can’t be reached, don’t adjust the goals, but adjust the action steps.
You are never too old to set another goal. Or to dream a new dream.
To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.
Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
Live simply that others may simply live.
Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced.
We live in the best of all possible worlds.
If they spit at you behind your back it means you’re ahead of them.
Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced.
Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.
A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion.
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
Philosophical Quotes About Love
Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
If you hate a person, then you’re defeated by them.
Waking up to who you are requires letting go of who you imagine yourself to be.
To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.
Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.
Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.
When anger arises, think of the consequences.
Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily.
The madness of love the greatest of heaven’s blessings.
To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do rather than what they say.
Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.
Philosophical Quotes About Education
He who thinks great thoughts, often makes great errors.
Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.
Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.
Real sign of intelligence isn’t knoweldge, it’s imagination.
It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well.
No man’s knowledge here can go beyond his experience.
The more man mediates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.
The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.
Give instructions only to those people who seek knowledge after they have discovered their ignorance.
A man who has committed a mistake and doesn’t correct it, is committing another mistake.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of our language.
Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.
The Intentionality of the mind not only creates the possibility of meaning, but limits its forms.
The more you know, the more you know you don’t know.
Philosophical Quotes about Time
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.
An intelligent being, is the active principle of all things. One must have renounced all common sense to doubt it, and it is a waste of time to try to prove such self evident truth.
I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.
It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.
The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.
The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.
No valid plans for the future can be made can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.
An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.
There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
Any philosophy that can fit into a nutshell belongs there.
Philosophical Quotes about Happiness
Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.
I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them.
The secret of happiness, you see is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.
Happiness is the feeling that power increases — that resistance is being overcome.
Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.
Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation.
If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.
Happiness depends upon ourselves.
How to Find Meaning in Life
While some people may find it hard to figure out what they’re meant to do in life, it shouldn’t be so. As you’ll find out, there are things you’ll find helpful in discovering your calling. Here are some tips to help you get the reason for your existence.
1. Stir up waters
Many people may find it natural and easier to follow generally accepted norms in their society. If you follow this pattern, you may never find your purpose.
People who have excelled in life and made a great impact in the world are those who dared to adventure. Helen Keller puts it this way: “Life is either a daring adventure or it’s nothing.”
Step out of the social set rules and make your own rules. In other words, stir up the water to catch fish. Do not succumb to the temptation of living your life to please others. Instead, carve your own path and create the destiny you want for yourself.
2. Move with seasons and times
There is a greater advantage in reading the signs of times. That’s why disruptive technologies are sweeping across the globe. Businesses that adopt modern and emerging technologies are able to advance more than those which fail to heed changes.
Similarly, you’ve got to train yourself to sniff out changes. If you take advantage of the changing fortunes, you’ll ride with the tide that comes with it to build your life’s purpose. Embrace change rather than going against it.
3. Overcome your fears
Do you find yourself fearing for what might happen if you start doing things differently? This is commonly known as the fear of the unknown and it’s the biggest killer of dreams. You must slay this fear if ever you’re going to find the real meaning in your life.
Fear of change and fear of failing are mental states you should change. Your purpose in life will not come to you but you must go for it. Leave your comfort zone and overcome your insecurities in life. This is the only way to find a meaningful driven living.
4. Follow your passions
What do you love doing most that make your soul be in perfect peace? Your purpose could be hidden in your passions. Search through your passions and you may be surprised to get the deepest meaning in your life.
Passion can come in many forms and manifestations. These include your love and care for others, your interest in sports or concern for the sick. Take time to pursue those passions that give you the greatest fulfillment.
5. Never stop thinking
As humans, our power of thinking and imagination is our greatest tool we can use to create the future we desire. The timeless saying goes: “as a man thinks, so he is.” Simply put, we are the product of our deliberate thoughts. Use your power of thought to discover your calling.
When you read a philosophical quote, it is evident that it is a product of deep reflection. Constantly make observations wherever you are and engage your power of thinking and you’ll never regret.
Look beyond the surface
In your effort and journey towards your mission in life, navigate through your reflections carefully. When you encounter philosophical quotes, get inspiration from them. They could be what you need to ignite your discovery.
In the end, your life, love, and work become more meaningful when you know your purpose. Decide today and take the first step to find out what life has in store for you.
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