I recently heard a quote that goes like this: " I think there comes a time in a man's life where he has to ask himself whether he wants a life of happiness or a life of meaning. You can't have both because those are two very different paths. To be truly happy, a man must live absolutely in the present, and with no thought of what's gone before, and no thought of what lies ahead. But…a life of meaning, a man is condemned to wallow in the past, and obsess about the future."
What do you think? Talk amongst yourselves!
2007-03-13 05:26:49 · 8 answers · asked by notahappyguy 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I heard the quote to and saw it on television. I do not think one excludes the other. I guess I have been lucky.
The Skeptical Christian
Grace and Peace
Peg
2007-03-13 05:29:41 · answer #1 · answered by Dust in the Wind 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a child who lives only in the present with no thought as to what came before or what will come after. For a mature adult, the present is merely the seam where the past and the future come together. It is a child's description of the adult world to say that the adults wallow in the past and obsess about the future.
Happiness is really the same as distraction. It is when we are distracted from the cares of the world that we say we are happy. Joy, not happiness is what we ought to seek.
Joy is fulfilling the purpose for which we were created and that purpose is to love one another. Life without meaning is just breathing and heart beating. Love breathes meaning into life.
2007-03-17 00:26:09 · answer #2 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. I disagree with the quote. I don't think there has to be choice between the two. You can live a life of meaning, working for something that's important to you, and still enjoy the little moments that come your way. In fact, I think it's hard to be happy if your life is meaningless, and hard to feel your life has meaning if you don't enjoy it.
2007-03-13 06:15:58 · answer #3 · answered by helehelo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think of that's an enticing quote and partly real. the two way, you ought to make sacrifices. in case you elect the 'existence of happiness' option as defined then you certainly'll in no way calm down and in no way have the skill to proportion your existence with somebody. i do no longer have confidence that existence of which potential potential which you're trapped via your previous. that's a very defeatist attitude. It no longer taking accountability for your self or your movements. Like throwing up your hands and asserting "i can not do such-and-such using fact my daddy did no longer hug me sufficient whilst i become a newborn...oh properly." no longer a very effective lifestyle to declare the least.
2016-11-25 00:34:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you live a happy life it will have meaning.
2007-03-13 05:36:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A life of meaning is to have purpose...to have cause for being.
doing so, happiness will surely follow in it's wake
2007-03-13 05:31:24 · answer #6 · answered by mom tree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A life of meaning, Happiness would be nice, but meaning is more... meaningful.
2007-03-13 05:46:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The two are not mutually exclusive. In fact they may depend upon each other.
2007-03-13 05:29:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋