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About this quote

What does it mean?
Simple joys like breathing or walking may outweigh all life's suffering and effort. It questions whether these moments justify the struggle of existence.
In plain terms
Small happy moments might be worth all the hard parts of life.
What can you take from it?
Value simple joys even if life involves suffering.

Where it applies

  • moments of despair
  • daily appreciation
  • philosophical reflection

Putting it to work

  • practice mindfulness
  • recalibrate life priorities

Questions to consider

  • What small moment makes life worth it?
  • Is joy enough to offset pain?

Another view

Not everyone finds simple moments sufficient to justify suffering.

More from Erich Fromm

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  3. We all dream; we do not understand our dreams, yet we act as if nothing strange goes on in our sleep minds, strange at least by comparison with the logical, pu…

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