“We must act out passion before we can feel it.”
- June 21, 1905 – April 15, 1980
- Born in France
- Philosopher, novelist, playwright
- He advocated existentialism and had a major influence on 20th century thought through works such as “Being and Nothingness” and “Nausea”
Quote
“We must act out passion before we can feel it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Sartre touches on the idea that emotion and passion are not merely passive feelings that arise naturally within us, but are instead created through action. Sartre’s existentialism emphasizes that existence precedes essence—meaning that we define ourselves through our actions, not by any inherent qualities or feelings. To “act out passion” suggests that we may need to initiate action—to engage with the world or others in a way that brings forth intense emotions, rather than waiting for those emotions to arise on their own. For Sartre, emotion is a product of how we choose to act, and by engaging in passionate actions, we bring the feeling of passion into our lives.
This perspective also challenges the idea of emotions as passive experiences that happen to us. Instead, Sartre is suggesting that passion is something we manifest through intentional actions, and it is through the act of engaging in those passionate actions that we experience passion. It is not simply that passion is a feeling that arises spontaneously, but that it requires us to embody and express it through our choices and behaviors. By acting with passion, we cultivate the emotional experience that accompanies those actions.
In modern contexts, this quote can be applied to personal growth and relationship-building. Often, we may feel disconnected from our passions or emotions, believing they should come naturally. Sartre’s words remind us that we may need to take action—to engage actively with life, people, or pursuits in a way that inspires the emotions we seek. Whether in creative endeavors, relationships, or career goals, passion is something we can create through intention and effort, rather than waiting for it to appear on its own. Sartre encourages us to embrace the freedom to act, knowing that through our actions, we have the power to shape the emotional experiences that define our lives.
