"People are constantly clamoring for the joy of life. As for me, I find the joy of life in the hard and cruel battle of life - to learn something is a joy to me"
- August Strindberg
About this Quote
August Strindberg's quote challenges traditional understandings of joy by recommending that it is not simply discovered in leisure and ease, however can be exceptionally located in the battles and challenges of life. He acknowledges the "clamoring" of people for happiness, indicating a universal human desire for joy, typically perceived as a state devoid of hardship. Nevertheless, Strindberg diverges from this general expectation by valuing the "tough and terrible battle of life" as a source of joy.
His point of view recommends that life's problems function as a fertile ground for personal growth and learning, which he thinks about as real delight. Instead of seeing battles as purely negative, he represents them as chances for discovery and self-improvement. This shows a mindset that embraces hardship as an essential part of living, seeing every obstacle as a potential knowing experience. Making use of the word "battle" underscores the intensity and vigor with which Strindberg approaches life, suggesting a vibrant and engaged presence.
Moreover, Strindberg's notion that "to discover something is a happiness to me" positions discovering itself as a benefit. This mindset raises the procedure of getting rid of difficulties and gaining knowledge above attaining a static state of joy. It emphasizes the journey over the destination, promoting a long-lasting pursuit of knowledge and understanding. By framing knowing as a source of happiness, Strindberg indicates that growth and fulfillment come from constant effort and discovery, instead of mere satisfaction.
In conclusion, Strindberg's quote works as a powerful suggestion of the value of durability and curiosity. It encourages one to discover delight not in escaping life's difficulties, however in engaging with them fully. This interpretation of joy aligns with an active and inquisitive method to life, where joy is drawn from the relentless pursuit of knowledge and self-betterment in the middle of hardship.
"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage"