Observations placeholder
Schopenhauer, Arthur - The World as Will and Idea - On fleeting gratification
Identifier
000647
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
The World as Will and Idea – Arthur Schopenhauer
All willing arises from need, therefore from deficiency, and therefore from suffering. The fulfilment of a wish ends it; yet for one wish that is fulfilled there remain at least ten which are denied. Further, the desire lasts long, the demands are infinite; the satisfaction is short and scantily measured out. But even the final satisfaction is itself only apparent; every satisfied wish at once makes room for a new one; both are delusions; the one is known to be so, the other not yet. No attained object of desire can give lasting satisfaction, but merely a fleeting gratification; it is like alms thrown to the beggar, keeping him alive today so that his misery may be prolonged till the morrow