Man... knows only when he is satisfied and when he suffers, and only his sufferings and his satisfactions instruct him concerning himself, teach him what to seek and what to avoid. For the rest, man is a confused creature; he knows not whence he comes or whither he goes, he knows little of the world, and above all, he knows little of himself.

Summary

This quote underscores the notion that human beings primarily learn about themselves and their desires through their experiences of satisfaction and suffering. While we may gain knowledge and wisdom from these highs and lows, the rest of our existence remains a state of confusion. We lack understanding of our origins, our ultimate destination, the world around us, and, most significantly, our own inner workings. This quote highlights the humbling truth that, despite our capacity for knowledge and advancement, the depths of our understanding are limited.

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