Arthur Schopenhauer was a 19th-century German philosopher known for his unique ideas and profound insight. His works involve the fields of ethics, metaphysics, and outlook on life, and the essence of human nature and the meaning of existence. Here are 16 philosophical quotes from Schopenhauer through which we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of human nature and the truth within. It is hoped that it can provoke readers to think about self and society, and gain wisdom and enlightenment from it.
Great minds in this world prefer monologues, talking to themselves.
This quote indicates that great minds are more inclined to be alone, to think and explore by talking to themselves. In moments of solitude, we can better listen to our inner voice, think about questions and find real answers. It is only in dialogue with ourselves that we can truly understand ourselves and discover our inner wisdom.
The human face has more and more interesting things than the human mouth speaks, because the mouth speaks only the human mind, and the face speaks the essence of the thought.
This quote emphasizes the importance of facial expressions and non-verbal communication. Human facial expressions are able to more truly reflect inner emotions and thoughts, and they are the embodiment of our essence. We should learn to observe the facial expressions of others and understand and perceive their true intentions and emotions from them.
One should, whenever possible, think like a great genius and speak like an ordinary man.
This quote tells us that when thinking about problems, we should strive for depth and breadth, reaching the level of great genius as much as possible. But when communicating with others, we should express them in an approachable language in order to better communicate and communicate with others.
If we behave politely and speak kindly, we will be able to treat many people rudely and be unharmed.
This quote reminds us of the importance of being kind to others. When we treat others with courtesy and kindness, we can still maintain peace and security even when we encounter some difficulties or disagreements. Kindness and friendliness can resolve conflicts and create harmonious interpersonal relationships.
The biggest mistake that human beings can make is to trade their health for something outside of their body.
This quote emphasizes the importance and preciousness of health. Health is our most valuable asset, and without it, everything is insignificant. We should not sacrifice our health for the sake of other material things, but we should cherish and protect our bodies and minds.
Reputation is the conscience that is manifested outside, and conscience is the reputation that is hidden inside.
This quote reveals the relationship between honor and conscience. Reputation is manifested through outward actions and actions, and it reflects our pursuit and observance of moral values. Conscience, on the other hand, is the deep moral judgment and sense of responsibility of the heart. Innocence and integrity of conscience are the true source of honor.
Alone, either lonely or vulgar.
This quote points to two extremes in human nature. One either chooses to be alone and pursues inner peace and independence;Or indulge in vulgar entertainment and vanity, chasing external recognition and satisfaction. We should strive to find a balance between enjoying the freedom of being alone and building genuine and meaningful relationships with others.
Mediocre people care about how to spend their time, and talented people try to use their time.
This quote emphasizes the importance of time management. Mediocre people only care about wasting their time, while talented people cherish their time and make the most of every moment to learn and grow. We should plan our time wisely and pursue personal and professional advancement.
We can liken the social crowd to a fire, and the wise man, when he is warm, knows how to keep a distance from the fire, and does not get too close to the fire like a fool who, after burning himself, plunges headlong into the cold solitude and complains loudly about the burning flames.
This phrase expresses the wisdom of dealing with social relationships. In socializing, we should keep a proper distance and not blindly pursue boisterity and vanity, so as not to be confused by them. We need to choose our friends and circles wisely to ensure that we are not harmed or eroded by negative influences.
Even the smallest being is better than the greatest of voids.
This sentence emphasizes the value and importance of each person's existence. No matter how small our ability and influence is, we can still shine in our field and create something meaningful. We should not underestimate our own power, but rather believe that everyone can make a positive impact on the world.
Something to be proud of is hard to do.
This quote reminds us of the importance of striving for excellence. We should face difficulties and challenges bravely, and only through hard work and struggle can we achieve achievements that we can be proud of.
The cause of social interaction lies in the monotony and emptiness of people's lives, and the need to socialize drives them together, but the many disgusting qualities they possess drive them apart, and at last they find the proper distance from which they can tolerate each other, and that is politeness.
Socializing is an integral part of human life. People come together to seek interaction and communication with others. However, Schopenhauer believed that the cause of socialization was the pursuit of monotony and emptiness. People crave satisfaction and fulfillment from socializing, but it also brings with it all sorts of disgusting behaviors and conflicts. It is only through politeness and tolerance that people can find the right distance in social interactions to maintain a relatively harmonious relationship.
When a person is alone, he can be fully himself, and whoever does not love solitude is not free because only when he is alone, he is free.
Solitude was the moment when Schopenhauer believed that people could truly be themselves. When a person is alone, he has no outside distractions and can focus on self-reflection and introspection. It is only in this state of solitude that one can truly experience inner freedom and authenticity. Schopenhauer emphasized that the love of solitude is part of the pursuit of freedom, which enables people to transcend the constraints and expectations of society and find their true inner world.
Objectively, reputation is the perception of our value by others;Subjectively, it is our concern about what others think.
Reputation is a value that people in society generally pursue. Schopenhauer pointed out that reputation is objectively the evaluation and opinion of others about us, reflecting our status and importance in society. Subjectively, however, reputation is more of our concern and concern about what others think. We often work hard and present ourselves to maintain our reputation because we want to be recognized and respected by others. Schopenhauer's view reminds us of the true meaning of fame and cautions against pursuing the eyes of others too much.
Geniuses are hardly sociable, because what other conversation can be so intelligent and pleasing as his own monologue?
Schopenhauer pondered deeply about the relationship between genius and sociality. He believes that geniuses are often not good at socializing because they have a wealth of wisdom and insight on their hearts. For geniuses, conversations with others cannot be compared to their own monologues. They are more inclined to think and explore on their own, resulting in unique creativity and insight. This perspective reminds us that everyone has their own unique way of expressing and sharing wisdom, and that social interaction is not the only measure of a person's worth.
Being gentle is not an easy task, and it requires us to show great respect for everyone, and most people simply don't deserve it. And it also requires us to pretend to have a great interest in people when we are elated to get out of our relationships with them.
Schopenhauer emphasized the importance of gentleness and the difficulty of practice. Being gentle requires us not only to show respect and courtesy to everyone, but also to be calm and calm in the face of those who do not deserve our respect. This requires us to learn to control our emotions and behaviors and not be swayed by external factors. Gentleness is a cultivation and quality that plays an important role in our interactions with others, demonstrating the firmness and peace of one's heart.
Summary
Schopenhauer's 16 philosophical quotes profoundly reveal the essence and truth of human nature. By thinking about sociality, solitude, reputation, genius, and gentleness, we can gain a clearer understanding of the complex psychology and behavior of human beings. These quotes remind us to look inside ourselves, explore our self-worth, and live in a more authentic and freer way. In a complex society, we can draw strength from Schopenhauer's wisdom, find our own path, and build good relationships with others.