"A man may fulfill the object of his existence by asking a question he cannot answer, and attempting a task he cannot achieve"
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
About this Quote
This quote recommends that a person can find purpose in their life by pursuing things that are difficult or apparently impossible to achieve. By striving towards these objectives, even if they are not completely achievable, an individual can discover fulfillment and meaning in their journey. Asking concerns and attempting to resolve issues that challenge one's mind can also be a method to achieve this sense of purpose. Ultimately, the quote recommends that an individual's existence can be satisfied by the pursuit of understanding and personal development, instead of by accomplishing specific, tangible objectives.
"If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour?"