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Walter Kaufmann Quotes

Powerful Walter Kaufmann for Daily Growth

About Walter Kaufmann

Walter Kaufmann (1921-1980), a renowned American philosopher and translator, was born on February 16, 1921, in New York City to Jewish immigrants. His intellectual journey began at Cornell University where he studied philosophy under Paul Weiss. After earning his Ph.D. from Harvard University, Kaufmann held positions at Swarthmore College, Williams College, and Princeton University, before joining the Department of Philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley in 1965, where he remained until his death. Kaufmann was a central figure in the 'death of God' debate and a leading interpreter of Friedrich Nietzsche's work. His influential book, "Nietzsche: Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist" (1950), is considered a seminal work on Nietzsche and remains widely read today. Kaufmann's translation of Nietzsche's complete works is also highly regarded. In addition to his work on Nietzsche, Kaufmann made significant contributions to the field of existentialism through his translations and interpretations of Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger. His book "Existentialism from Dostoyevsky to Sartre" (1956) offers insightful analysis on these philosophers. Kaufmann was not only a philosopher but also a prolific writer, publishing numerous essays and books throughout his career. He was a strong advocate for the role of philosophy in contemporary society and believed that philosophers should engage with social issues. His works reflect this commitment, tackling topics such as religion, morality, and human existence. Walter Kaufmann passed away on December 20, 1980, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence philosophy and intellectual discourse today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The important thing is not to stay, but to go; not to be, but to become."

This quote by Walter Kaufmann emphasizes the value of action over stagnation, growth over complacency, and exploration over comfort. It suggests that one should focus on moving forward, evolving, and seeking new experiences rather than remaining stationary or content with one's current state. The essence of life lies in its journey towards self-improvement and personal development, as opposed to simply existing without change.

"Three things ultimately matter in life: silly love songs, rose-tinted glasses, and the inexplicable power of the universe."

This quote by Walter Kaufmann highlights the profound yet tender aspects of human experience. "Silly love songs" symbolize the irrational, emotional side of love that often defies logic or reason. "Rose-tinted glasses" refer to the optimistic perspective we adopt when viewing the world, especially in romantic or hopeful situations. Lastly, "the inexplicable power of the universe" underscores our sense of awe and mystery towards life's grandeur, suggesting that there are forces at work beyond human comprehension. In essence, Kaufmann is emphasizing the importance of love, optimism, and wonder in navigating the complexities of life.

"Man's true humanity is paradoxical: he is at the same time unexplainable and inexhaustible."

Walter Kaufmann suggests that humans are inherently complex, defying simple explanation or comprehension. We are "unexplainable" because our essence transcends scientific or logical understanding. Yet, we remain "inexhaustible," implying that there is always more to discover about ourselves and our potential. This paradoxical nature makes us uniquely human - a mysterious blend of the known and unknown, capable of infinite growth and self-discovery.

"It is not our purpose to become each other; but to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is."

This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the individuality of others, rather than seeking sameness or uniformity. It encourages empathy, understanding, and respect towards diverse perspectives, experiences, and identities. By acknowledging and valuing each person's unique qualities, we foster a more harmonious and enriched community.

"The essential question is: how can man be free? To be free means first of all to stand alone, without support or crutch, since only then will one know what one is and does."

This quote emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and personal identity in achieving freedom. Kaufmann suggests that true liberation comes from understanding oneself independently, without relying on external support or crutches. In other words, to be truly free, one must first recognize and embrace their individuality, which can only be achieved by standing alone and facing life's challenges independently. This perspective encourages individuals to cultivate self-awareness, personal strength, and resilience in their pursuit of freedom and authentic existence.

Job's forthright indictment of the injustice of this world is surely right. The ways of the world are weird and much more unpredictable than either scientists or theologians generally make things look.

- Walter Kaufmann

Injustice, More, Surely, Indictment

The doctrine of original sin claims that all men sinned in Adam; but whether they did or whether it is merely a fact that all men sin does not basically affect the problem of suffering.

- Walter Kaufmann

Fact, Original, Adam, Claims

When Hegel later became a man of influence' he insisted that the Jews should be granted equal rights because civic rights belong to man because he is a man and not on account of his ethnic origins or his religion.

- Walter Kaufmann

Ethnic, Belong, Became, Civic

To try to fashion something from suffering, to relish our triumphs, and to endure defeats without resentment: all that is compatible with the faith of a heretic.

- Walter Kaufmann

Faith, Suffering, Triumphs, Heretic

The deepest difference between religions is not that between polytheism and monotheism.

- Walter Kaufmann

Religions, Deepest, Monotheism

Here an attempt is made to explain suffering: the outcaste of traditional Hinduism is held to deserve his fetched fate; it is a punishment for the wrongs he did in a previous life.

- Walter Kaufmann

Deserve, Here, Explain, Hinduism

It was also Hegel who established the view that the different philosophic systems that we find in history are to be comprehended in terms of development and that they are generally one-sided because they owe their origins to a reaction against what has gone before.

- Walter Kaufmann

Development, Established, Philosophic

Life ceases to be so oppressive: we are free to give our own lives meaning and purpose, free to redeem our suffering by making something of it.

- Walter Kaufmann

Give, Making, Oppressive, Ceases

Thirdly, even if we assume that the world is governed by purpose, we need only add that this purpose - or, if there are several, at least one of them - is not especially intent on preventing suffering, whether it is indifferent to suffering or actually rejoices in it.

- Walter Kaufmann

Purpose, Suffering, Several, Assume

In all three cases, and for most human beings, the problem of suffering poses no difficult problem at all: one has a world picture in which suffering has its place, a world picture that takes suffering into account.

- Walter Kaufmann

Suffering, Which, Cases, Poses

It is widely assumed, contrary to fact, that theism necessarily involves the two assumptions which cannot be squared with the existence of so much suffering, and that therefore, per impossibile, they simply have to be squared with the existence of all this suffering, somehow.

- Walter Kaufmann

Fact, Involves, Which, Theism

The only theism worthy of our respect believes in God not because of the way the world is made but in spite of that. The only theism that is no less profound than the Buddha's atheism is that represented in the Bible by Job and Jeremiah.

- Walter Kaufmann

Bible, Atheism, Made, Theism

Faith means intense, usually confident, belief that is not based on evidence sufficient to command assent from every reasonable person.

- Walter Kaufmann

Evidence, Means, Based, Command

The first function of a book review should be, I believe, to give some idea of the contents and character of the book.

- Walter Kaufmann

Give, Some, Idea, Review

It does not follow that the meaning must be given from above; that life and suffering must come neatly labeled; that nothing is worth while if the world is not governed by a purpose.

- Walter Kaufmann

Purpose, Given, Neatly, Governed

Those who believe in God because their experience of life and the facts of nature prove his existence must have led sheltered lives and closed their hearts to the voice of their brothers' blood.

- Walter Kaufmann

Voice, Prove, Lives, Hearts

The great artist is the man who most obviously succeeds in turning his pains to advantage, in letting suffering deepens his understanding and sensibility, in growing through his pains.

- Walter Kaufmann

Artist, Through, Succeeds, Turning

The problem of suffering is: why is there the suffering we know?

- Walter Kaufmann

Problem, Know, Why, Suffering

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