Quote by John Gardner

Meaning is something you build into your life. You build it out of your own past, out of your affections and loyalties, out of the experience of humankind as it is passed on to you. ... You are the only one who can put them together into that unique pattern that will be your life.

Meaning is something you build into your life. You build it

Summary

This quote suggests that meaning in life is not something we passively receive, but rather something we actively construct. It implies that we create meaning by drawing from our personal history, our emotions, and our connections to others. It emphasizes the individual's power to bring together these elements and weave them into a distinct and significant life. Ultimately, it highlights the unique responsibility we have in building our own meaning and finding fulfillment.

Topics

Life Meaning Inspire Existence

By John Gardner

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will

A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions, thus: 1. What am I trying to say? 2. What words will express it? 3. What image or idiom will make it clearer? 4. Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?

Writing On Writing

Novels are food for the leftover hours of life, the in-betwe

Novels are food for the leftover hours of life, the in-between times, the moments of waiting.

Books Inspirational Introspection Korea Kim Korean Young Ha

The good critic is he who relates the adventures of his soul

The good critic is he who relates the adventures of his soul among masterpieces.

Mankind has a mandate to care for the earth and all that is

Mankind has a mandate to care for the earth and all that is within it, especially the animals, and an animal should never be placed in a position where he needs to be concerned about such things. But this is not that time.

Family Inspirational Dogs Fiction Christian

Every time I get a script it's a matter of trying to know wh

Every time I get a script it's a matter of trying to know what I could do with it. I see colors, imagery. It has to have a smell. It's like falling in love. You can't give a reason why.

As an actor, there is room for a certain amount of creativit

As an actor, there is room for a certain amount of creativity, but you're always ultimately going to be saying somebody else's words. I don't think I'd have the stamina, skill or ability to write a novel, but I'd love to write short stories and poetry, because those are my two passions.

Daniel Radcliffe

My pride fell with my fortunes.

My pride fell with my fortunes.

William Shakespeare

Intolerance is the Do Not Touch sign on something that canno

Intolerance is the Do Not Touch sign on something that cannot bear touching. We do not mind having our hair ruffled, but we will not tolerate any familiarity with the toupee which covers our baldness.

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Clement Clarke Moore

Maybe it's good to put things in perspective, but sometimes,

Maybe it's good to put things in perspective, but sometimes, I think that the only perspective is to really be there. Because it's okay to feel things. And be who you are about them.

Stephen Chbosky

Life Perspective Feel

Who can hope for nothing, should despair for nothing.

Who can hope for nothing, should despair for nothing.

Seneca (Seneca the Elder)

Most bad books get that way because their authors are engage

Most bad books get that way because their authors are engaged in trying to justify themselves. If a vain author is an alcoholic, then the most sympathetically portrayed character in his book will be an alcoholic. This sort of thing is very boring for outsiders.

Stephen Vizinczey

Authors & Writing