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. Arthur Schopenhauer More Quotes by Arthur Schopenhauer More Quotes From Arthur Schopenhauer [T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres. Arthur Schopenhauer addresses form men To desire immortality for the individual is really the same as wanting to perpetuate an error forever. Arthur Schopenhauer errors desire forever The scenes and events of long ago, and the persons who took part in them, wear a charming aspect to the eye of memory, which sees only the outlines and takes no note of disagreeable details. The present enjoys no such advantage, and so it always seems defective. Arthur Schopenhauer long-ago eye memories I know of no more beautiful prayer than that which the Hindus of old used in closing: May all that have life be delivered from suffering. Arthur Schopenhauer suffering prayer beautiful Music is the answer to the mystery of life. The most profound of all the arts, It expresses the deepest thoughts of life. Arthur Schopenhauer answers profound art Scholars are those who have read in books, but thinkers, men of genius, world-enlighteners, and reformers of the human race are those who have read directly in the book of the world. Arthur Schopenhauer race men book Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability. Arthur Schopenhauer rebellious men way Life is a task to be done. It is a fine thing to say defunctus est; it means that the man has done his task. Arthur Schopenhauer men life mean First the truth is ridiculed. Then it meets outrage. Then it is said to have been obvious all along. Arthur Schopenhauer outrage truth-is firsts Hatred is an affair of the heart; contempt that of the head. Arthur Schopenhauer philosophical anger heart For our improvement we need a mirror. Arthur Schopenhauer improvement mirrors needs There is no more mistaken path to happiness than worldliness, revelry, high life. Arthur Schopenhauer mistake happiness life We may divide thinkers into those who think for themselves and those who think through others. The latter are the rule and the former the exception. The first are original thinkers in a double sense, and egotists in the noblest meaning of the word. Arthur Schopenhauer may firsts thinking If the world were a paradise of luxury and ease, a land flowing with milk and honey, where every Jack obtained his Jill at once and without any difficulty, men would either die of boredom or hang themselves; or there would be wars, massacres, and murders; so that in the end mankind would inflict more suffering on itself than it has now to accept at the hands of Nature. Arthur Schopenhauer milk-and-honey men war Physics is unable to stand on its own feet, but needs a metaphysics on which to support itself, whatever fine airs it may assume towards the latter. Arthur Schopenhauer support air feet I've never known any trouble than an hour's reading didn't assuage. Arthur Schopenhauer hours reading trouble ...in the end every one stands alone, and the important thing is who it is that stands alone. Arthur Schopenhauer stand-alone important ends A man can do what he wants, but not want what he wants. Arthur Schopenhauer sad want men Human existence is an error...it is bad today and every day it gets worse, until the worst happens. Arthur Schopenhauer depressing errors today If life — the craving for which is the very essence of our being — were possessed of any positive intrinsic value, there would be no such thing as boredom at all: mere existence would satisfy us in itself, and we should want for nothing. Arthur Schopenhauer boredom essence would-be
