Joseph Campbell

Life meaning bring question answer

“Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.”

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

life planned waiting

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

lifetime privilege being you

“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

journey save world ourselves vital person vitalizes

“We're not on our journey to save the world but to save ourselves. But in doing that you save the world. The influence of a vital person vitalizes.”

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

religion true literal

“All religions are true but none are literal.”

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

educator teach student vitality

“The job of an educator is to teach students to see vitality in themselves”

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

computer old testament rules mercy

“Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy.”

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

uncomfortable ordinary people man woman child

“I always feel uncomfortable when people speak about ordinary mortals because I've never met an ordinary man, woman or child.”

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

divine power enthusiasm bliss message god life

"How do you find the divine power in yourself? The word enthusiasm means 'filled with a god,' so what makes you enthusiastic? Follow it. So I have a little word: follow your bliss. The bliss is the message of God to yourself. That's where your life is."

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

conquest fear death recovery life joy

"The conquest of the fear of death is the recovery of life's joy. One can experience an unconditional affirmation of life only when one has accepted death, not as contrary to life, but as an aspect of life. Life in its becoming is always shedding death, and on the point of death. The conquest of fear yields the courage of life. That is the cardinal initiation of every heroic adventure - fearlessness and achievement."

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

life economic practical bliss station old age

"Our life has become so economic and practical in its orientation that, as you get older, the claims of the moment upon you are so great, you hardly know where the hell you are, or what it is you intended. You are always doing something that is required of you. Where is your bliss station? You have to try to find it."

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

disaster survive improvement character stature life

"Any disaster you can survive is an improvement in your character, your stature, and your life"

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

life problem solve mystery live path bliss

" Life is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived. Follow the path that is no path, follow your bliss."

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

old age nothing lead moment life

" One great thing about growing old is that nothing is going to lead to anything. Everything is of the moment."

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

life own doing blame yourself

"Your life is the fruit of your own doing. You have no one to blame but yourself."

—Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)