Viktor E. Frankl Quotes - Page 7

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I had wanted simply to convey to the reader by way of concrete example that life holds a potential meaning under any conditions, even the most miserable ones. And I thought that if the point were demonstrated in a situation as extreme as that in a concentration camp, my book might gain a hearing. I therefore felt responsible for writing down what I had gone through, for I thought it might be helpful to people who are prone to despair.

Viktor E. Frankl

Life, Book, Writing

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.8, Beacon Press

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Fear may come true that which one is afraid of.

Viktor E. Frankl

Fear, May

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I recommend that the Statue of Liberty be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the west coast.

Viktor E. Frankl

Responsibility, Liberty, West

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.101, Beacon Press

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Austrian public-opinion pollsters recently reported that those held in highest esteem by most of the people interviewed are neither the great artists nor the great scientists, neither the great statesmen nor the great sport figures, but those who master a hard lot with their heads held high.

Viktor E. Frankl

Sports, Artist, People

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It is not freedom from conditions, but it is freedom to take a stand toward the conditions.

Viktor E. Frankl

Mans Search For Meaning, Search For Meaning, Conditions

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.99, Beacon Press

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Most important, however, is the third avenue to meaning in life: even the helpless victim of a
hopeless situation, facing a fate he cannot change, may rise above himself, may grow beyond
himself, and by so doing change himself. He may turn a personal tragedy into a triumph.

Viktor E. Frankl

Inspirational, Fate, Challenges

Viktor E. Frankl (2006). “Man's Search for Meaning”, p.142, Beacon Press

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To the European, it is a characteristic of the American culture that, again and again, one is commanded and ordered to 'be happy.' But happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue. One must have a reason to 'be happy.' Once the reason is found, however, one becomes happy automatically. As we see, a human being is not one in pursuit of happiness but rather in search of a reason to become happy, last but not least, through actualizing the potential meaning inherent and dormant in a given situation.

Viktor E. Frankl

Pursuit Of Happiness, Lasts, Culture

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.106, Beacon Press

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Happiness must ensue. It cannot be pursued

Viktor E. Frankl

Pursued

Viktor E Frankl (2011). “Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning”, p.90, Random House

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Man ultimately decides for himself! And in the end, education must be education towards the ability to decide

Viktor E. Frankl

Teaching, Learning, Men

Viktor E Frankl (2012). “The Doctor and the Soul: From Psychotherapy to Logotherapy”, p.11, Souvenir Press

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If there is meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete.

Viktor E. Frankl

Fate, Suffering And Death, Meaning Of Life

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.56, Beacon Press

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To draw an analogy: a man's suffering is similar to the behavior of a gas. If a certain quantity of gas is pumped into an empty chamber, it will fill the chamber completely and evenly, no matter how big the chamber. Thus suffering completely fills the human soul and conscious mind, no matter whether the suffering is great or little. Therefore the "size" of human suffering is absolutely relative.

Viktor E. Frankl

Men, Soul, Mind

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.40, Beacon Press

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When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer, he will have to accept his suffering as his task. . . . He will have to acknowledge the fact that even in suffering he is unique and alone in the universe. No one can relieve him of his suffering or suffer in his place. His unique opportunity lies in the way in which he bears his burden.

Viktor E. Frankl

Lying, Acceptance, Unique

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.64, Beacon Press

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As the struggle for survival has subsided, the question has emerged: survival for what? Ever more people have the means to live, but no meaning to live for.

Viktor E. Frankl

Struggle, Mean, People

Viktor E. Frankl (2011). “The Unheard Cry for Meaning: Psychotherapy and Humanism”, p.19, Simon and Schuster

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Challenging the meaning of life is the truest expression of the state of being human.

Viktor E. Frankl

Motivational, Expression, Challenges

Viktor E Frankl (2012). “The Doctor and the Soul: From Psychotherapy to Logotherapy”, p.30, Souvenir Press

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Set me like a seal upon thy heart, love is as strong as death.

Viktor E. Frankl

Strong, Heart, Love Is

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.36, Beacon Press

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[Speaking of his experience in a concentration camp:] As we said before, any attempt to restore a man's inner strength in the camp had first to succeed in showing him some future goal...Woe to him who saw no more sense in his life, no aim, no purpose, and therefore no point in carrying on. He was soon lost.

Viktor E. Frankl

Men, Goal, Inner Strength

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Here lies the chance for a man either to make use of or to forgo the opportunities of attaining the moral values that a difficult situation may afford him. And this decides whether he is worthy of his sufferings or not.

Viktor E. Frankl

Lying, Opportunity, Men

Viktor E. Frankl (2006). “Man's Search for Meaning”, p.73, Beacon Press

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Human kindness can be found in all groups, even those which as a whole it would be easy to condemn.

Viktor E. Frankl

Kindness, Groups, Would Be

Viktor E. Frankl (1985). “Man's Search For Meaning”, p.107, Simon and Schuster

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Because of social pressure, individualism is rejected by most people in favor of conformity. Thus the individual relies mainly upon the actions of others and neglects the meaning of his own personal life. Hence he sees his own life as meaningless and falls into the “existential vacuum” feeling inner void. Progressive automation causes increasing alcoholism, juvenile delinquency, and suicide.

Viktor E. Frankl

Suicide, Fall, People

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It said to me, 'I am here — I am here — I am life, eternal life.'

Viktor E. Frankl

Here I Am, Said, Eternal Life

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.58, Beacon Press

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Man's search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life and not a "secondary rationalization" of instinctual drives. This meaning is unique and specific in that it must and can be fulfilled by him alone; only then does it achieve a significance which will satisfy his own will to meaning.

Viktor E. Frankl

Motivation, Unique, Men

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.78, Beacon Press

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The transitoriness of our existence in now way makes it meaningless. But it does constitute our responsibleness; for everything hinges upon our realizing the essentially transitory possibilities.

Viktor E. Frankl

Doe, Way, Realizing

Viktor E. Frankl (2006). “Man's Search for Meaning”, p.120, Beacon Press

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As such, I also bear witness to the unexpected extent to which man is capable of defying and braving even the worst conditions conceivable.

Viktor E. Frankl

Men, Bears, Neurology

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.99, Beacon Press

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Instead of possibilities, I have realities in my past, not only the reality of work done and of love loved, but of sufferings bravely suffered. These sufferings are even the things of which I am most proud, though these are things which cannot inspire envy.

Viktor E. Frankl

Past, Reality, Envy

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.94, Beacon Press

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In his creative work the artist is dependent on sources and resources deriving from the spiritual unconscious.

Viktor E. Frankl

Spiritual, Artist, Creative

Viktor E. Frankl (2000). “Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning”, Basic Books

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Born: March 26, 1905
Died: September 2, 1997
Occupation: M.D.
Cite this Page: Citation

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