“Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it.”
- May 5, 1813 – November 11, 1855
- Danish
- Philosopher, Theologian, Poet, Father of Existentialism
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Quote
“Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it.”
Explanation
This quote offers a sharp critique of the modern pursuit of pleasure, revealing the irony that those who chase it most feverishly often fail to experience it at all. Kierkegaard suggests that in our anxious rush to find happiness, we become impatient, restless, and distracted, thereby missing the very moments of joy we seek. Pleasure, when pursued without reflection or presence, becomes elusive, not because it is rare, but because we are too hurried to truly notice or savor it.
In his broader philosophy, Kierkegaard viewed this restless pursuit as a symptom of despair and inauthenticity. People flee from inwardness by chasing external stimulation, thinking it will bring fulfillment. Yet in doing so, they avoid the slow, reflective engagement with life that allows true pleasure to emerge naturally. The “aesthetic” life, as Kierkegaard describes it in Either/Or, often leads to emptiness, because it treats pleasure as the goal instead of the byproduct of meaningful living.
Today, this quote resonates in a culture of instant gratification, constant entertainment, and productivity obsession. Many people seek joy in vacations, purchases, or achievements but feel unfulfilled nonetheless. Kierkegaard’s wisdom urges us to slow down, to become fully present, and to recognize that pleasure is not something to be seized in haste, but received in stillness, in the quiet depth of authentic experience.
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