“The highest and most beautiful things in life are not to be heard about, nor read about, nor seen but, if one will, are to be lived.”
- May 5, 1813 – November 11, 1855
- Danish
- Philosopher, Theologian, Poet, Father of Existentialism
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Quote
“The highest and most beautiful things in life are not to be heard about, nor read about, nor seen but, if one will, are to be lived.”
Explanation
This quote emphasizes Kierkegaard’s belief that true meaning and beauty in life cannot be passively observed or intellectually consumed—they must be actively lived. Experiences such as love, faith, courage, and sacrifice cannot be fully understood through books, speeches, or observation alone. They require personal engagement, where the individual chooses to embody these values in action and existence.
In Kierkegaard’s 19th-century context, many people treated religion or philosophy as abstract systems to study rather than realities to live out. He opposed this detachment, arguing that life’s greatest truths—especially spiritual ones—only become real when made personal. For him, to live the truth was far more important than to merely know it. The beauty of life lies not in aesthetic appreciation or theoretical insight, but in the inward, courageous commitment to live with purpose.
This idea remains profoundly relevant today. In an era flooded with information, people often confuse knowing about something with truly knowing it. Reading about love is not the same as loving; hearing about justice is not the same as acting justly. Kierkegaard reminds us that life’s most meaningful aspects must be practiced, not merely admired. They are accessible not to the spectator, but to the one who chooses to live deeply and authentically.
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