"Our higher existential needs are what motivate us to spend our brief time on the planet in meaningful ways."
Simplified meaning
People have deep needs that go beyond just food, shelter, and safety. These needs drive us to make our lives valuable and purposeful. For instance, someone might feel a strong urge to help others, create art, explore new places, or gain knowledge. This is because they want their life to mean something and be remembered. Think of a volunteer working to clean up the environment; they do this because it makes them feel like they’re making a difference, not just for themselves but for the world. By focusing on these higher needs, we spend our limited time doing things that matter deeply to us and leave a positive mark.
Related tags
Existentialism Fulfillment Human existence Meaning of life Motivation Philosophy Purpose Self-actualization
MORE QUOTES BY Alain de Botton
FEATURED QUOTES