“Boredom is the root of all evil – the despairing refusal to be oneself.”
- May 5, 1813 – November 11, 1855
- Danish
- Philosopher, Theologian, Poet, Father of Existentialism
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Quote
“Boredom is the root of all evil – the despairing refusal to be oneself.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Kierkegaard’s view of boredom not as a trivial inconvenience, but as a profound spiritual condition. For him, boredom arises when a person refuses to engage with their own existence, avoiding the difficult task of becoming their true self. It is not mere idleness; it is despair in disguise, a symptom of the deeper unwillingness to confront one’s purpose, freedom, or individuality. Thus, boredom becomes the root of all evil because it reflects a life disconnected from authenticity.
Kierkegaard, writing in a time of growing secularization and social conformity, believed that many people drift through life avoiding inward responsibility, distracted by pleasures or social roles. Boredom, in his thought, signals the absence of passion, faith, and engagement—a silent but corrosive force that tempts people into escapism, nihilism, or harmful behaviors. Rather than facing the anxiety of selfhood, they choose not to be themselves, and this avoidance leads to deeper despair.
In modern times, the quote has even more relevance. In a world of endless entertainment and distraction, boredom still thrives, often masked by superficial busyness. Kierkegaard’s insight challenges us to see boredom as a spiritual alarm, prompting us to ask whether we are truly living as ourselves. The antidote is not distraction, but the courage to engage with life, to choose purpose, and to become who we are meant to be.
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