"Every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and dies by chance"

Jean-Paul Sartre’s observation encapsulates the core tenets of existentialism, casting a stark light on the nature of existence and the human experience. The assertion that every being comes into the world “without reason” speaks to the absence of a predetermined purpose or grand design behind our existence. According to Sartre, humans are thrust into life by mere facticity, not because of a divine intention or cosmic plan, but as a product of random circumstances. This lack of inherent meaning challenges individuals to confront the void and come to terms with their own responsibility for creating meaning.

The continuation of existence is then described as a matter of weakness. Human beings and all living things persist, not necessarily out of strength or rational motivation, but out of inertia, fear, or inability to confront nonexistence. Sartre suggests that the act of prolonging life is not a noble endeavor infused with meaning, but rather a manifestation of frailty, a tendency to cling to existence despite its absurdity. It underlines the existential reality that living is not about fulfilling a prescribed destiny, but about enduring in the absence of any higher justification, often because the alternative, nothingness, is too overwhelming to face.

Finally, death, according to Sartre, occurs by chance. There is no fate or divine justice dictating the timing or manner of death. It is arbitrary, untethered to any moral or logical framework. This randomness strips life of any cosmic fairness, reinforcing the notion that existence is fundamentally accidental from beginning to end. For Sartre, this recognition does not lead to nihilism, but rather to a radical freedom: if nothing dictates our meaning, it is up to each person to confront the absurdity and carve out purpose for themselves. The statement is both a challenge and an invitation, to accept the futility of searching for external justification and instead embrace the burden and liberty of self-authorship.