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About this quote

What does it mean?
Living without purpose feels like dying early.
In plain terms
Useless life equals early death.
What can you take from it?
Find purpose to feel alive.

Where it applies

  • career stagnation
  • personal crisis

Putting it to work

  • set meaningful goals
  • volunteer for causes

Questions to consider

  • What gives your life meaning?
  • How do you measure a useful life?

Another view

Purpose is subjective; not everyone feels the same urgency.

More from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  1. Seeking with the soul the land of the Greeks.

    Permalink to quote #40
  2. One says a lot in vain, refusing; The other mainly hears the 'No.'

    Permalink to quote #42
  3. Art is long, life short; judgment difficult, opportunity transient.

    Permalink to quote #39

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