Arthur Schopenhauer

Pessimist philosophy

Modern influential 231 sayings

Sayings by Arthur Schopenhauer

The world is hell, and men are on the one hand the tormented souls and on the other the devils in it.

1851 (posthumous publication of some parts) — Manuscript Remains, Vol. III, 'The World as Will and Representation', Supplement to Book IV
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 1, Chapter 3
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The price of glory is the loss of leisure.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 1, Chapter 1
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 1, Chapter 2
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 1, Chapter 1
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 2, Chapter 2
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The two enemies of human happiness are pain and boredom.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 1, Chapter 1
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Man is the only animal that causes pain to others for the mere pleasure of doing it.

1844 — The World as Will and Representation, Vol. 2, Chapter 30
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Reading is merely a substitute for thought.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 2, Chapter 24
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The more unintelligent a man is, the less mysterious existence seems to him.

1844 — The World as Will and Representation, Vol. 2, Chapter 17
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The general mistake is to suppose that we shall do something great in the future.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 1, Chapter 2
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only certain antidote to the fear of death is the knowledge that we are already dead.

1844 — The World as Will and Representation, Vol. 2, Chapter 41
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Sleep is the interest we have to pay on the capital which is lent us in life: the higher the interest, the more we have to pay.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 2, Chapter 4
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Intellect is a magnificent instrument, if it is used correctly. Used incorrectly, it leads to disaster.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 2, Chapter 2
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The more a man is a man, the less he is a woman.

1851 — Parega und Paralipomena, Vol. 2, Chapter 27
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest happiness is to be born, and the least to die.

1844 — The World as Will and Representation, Vol. 2, Chapter 41
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world is not to be enjoyed, but to be overcome.

1818 — The World as Will and Representation, Vol. 1, Book 4
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Compassion is the basis of all morality.

1840 — On the Basis of Morality, Part III, Chapter 6
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The brain is a parasite of the organism.

1851 (posthumous publication of some parts) — Manuscript Remains, Vol. III, 'The World as Will and Representation', Supplement to Book II
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Life is a constant oscillation between the pain of wanting and the boredom of having.

1818 — The World as Will and Representation, Vol. 1, Book 4
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable