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151 Mind-Blowing Quotes By Jean-Paul Sartre

Famous As: Novelist, Playwright, & Philosopher
Born On: June 21, 1905
Died On: April 15, 1980
Born In: Paris, France
Died At Age: 74

Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre, more famously known as  Jean-Paul Sartre, was an illustrious French philosopher, literary critic, playwright, political activist, and novelist. He played a prominent role in the philosophy of phenomenology and existentialism. He was also considered to be a dominant figure in 20th-century French Marxism and philosophy. His writings, thoughts and works also included critical theory, literary studies, post-colonial theory and sociology. In 1964, he was honoured with the ‘Nobel Prize in Literature,’ but he refused to accept it. We have compiled some famous, notable, interesting, powerful, and thought-provoking quotes and sayings by Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre which have been excerpted from the vast sea of his works, thoughts, short-stories, books, screenplays, plays, critical essays, philosophic essays, other writings and life. Zoom through the quotes and thoughts by Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre which are quoted widely.

If you're lonely when you're alone, you're in bad company.

If you're lonely when you're alone, you're in bad company.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Do you think that I count the days? There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.

Do you think that I count the days? There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I'm going to smile, and my smile will sink down into your pupils, and heaven knows what it will become.

I'm going to smile, and my smile will sink down into your pupils, and heaven knows what it will become.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Hell is—other people!

Hell is—other people!

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does. 
It is up to you to give [life] a meaning.

Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does. It is up to you to give [life] a meaning.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Better to die on one's feet than to live on one's knees.

Better to die on one's feet than to live on one's knees.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Freedom is what we do with what is done to us.

Freedom is what we do with what is done to us.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
We are our choices.

We are our choices.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
When the rich wage war it's the poor who die.

When the rich wage war it's the poor who die.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Three o'clock is always too late or too early for anything you want to do.

Three o'clock is always too late or too early for anything you want to do.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
You are -- your life, and nothing else.

You are -- your life, and nothing else.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Everything has been figured out, except how to live.

Everything has been figured out, except how to live.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
There may be more beautiful times, but this one is ours.

There may be more beautiful times, but this one is ours.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Words are loaded pistols.

Words are loaded pistols.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Life begins on the other side of despair.

Life begins on the other side of despair.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
She believed in nothing. Only her scepticism kept her from being an atheist.

She believed in nothing. Only her scepticism kept her from being an atheist.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
All that I know about my life, it seems, I have learned in books.

All that I know about my life, it seems, I have learned in books.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Like all dreamers I confuse disenchantment with truth.

Like all dreamers I confuse disenchantment with truth.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I want to leave, to go somewhere where I should be really in my place, where I would fit in . . . but my place is nowhere; I am unwanted.

I want to leave, to go somewhere where I should be really in my place, where I would fit in . . . but my place is nowhere; I am unwanted.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Life has no meaning a priori… It is up to you to give it a meaning, and value is nothing but the meaning that you choose.

Life has no meaning a priori… It is up to you to give it a meaning, and value is nothing but the meaning that you choose.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.

The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
In love, one and one are one.

In love, one and one are one.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Ha! to forget. How childish! I feel you in my bones. Your silence screams in my ears. You may nail your mouth shut, you may cut out your tongue, can you keep yourself from existing? Will you stop your thoughts.

Ha! to forget. How childish! I feel you in my bones. Your silence screams in my ears. You may nail your mouth shut, you may cut out your tongue, can you keep yourself from existing? Will you stop your thoughts.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Smooth and smiling faces everywhere, but ruin in their eyes.

Smooth and smiling faces everywhere, but ruin in their eyes.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
It is therefore senseless to think of complaining since nothing foreign has decided what we feel, what we live, or what we are.

It is therefore senseless to think of complaining since nothing foreign has decided what we feel, what we live, or what we are.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I am going to outlive myself. Eat, sleep, sleep, eat. Exist slowly, softly, like these trees, like a puddle of water, like the red bench in the streetcar.

I am going to outlive myself. Eat, sleep, sleep, eat. Exist slowly, softly, like these trees, like a puddle of water, like the red bench in the streetcar.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I suppose it is out of laziness that the world is the same day after day. Today it seemed to want to change. And then anything, anything could happen.

I suppose it is out of laziness that the world is the same day after day. Today it seemed to want to change. And then anything, anything could happen.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
It answers the question that was tormenting you: my love, you are not 'one thing in my life' - not even the most important - because my life no longer belongs to me because...you are always me.

It answers the question that was tormenting you: my love, you are not 'one thing in my life' - not even the most important - because my life no longer belongs to me because...you are always me.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.

Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Man is what he wills himself to be.

Man is what he wills himself to be.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I am. I am, I exist, I think, therefore I am; I am because I think, why do I think? I don't want to think any more, I am because I think that I don't want to be, I think that I . . . because . . . ugh!

I am. I am, I exist, I think, therefore I am; I am because I think, why do I think? I don't want to think any more, I am because I think that I don't want to be, I think that I . . . because . . . ugh!

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
She smiled and said with an ecstatic air:

She smiled and said with an ecstatic air: "It shines like a little diamond", "What does?" "This moment. It is round, it hangs in empty space like a little diamond; I am eternal.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I exist, that is all, and I find it nauseating.

I exist, that is all, and I find it nauseating.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Only the guy who isn't rowing has time to rock the boat.

Only the guy who isn't rowing has time to rock the boat.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
That God does not exist, I cannot deny, That my whole being cries out for God I cannot forget.

That God does not exist, I cannot deny, That my whole being cries out for God I cannot forget.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
We do not know what we want and yet we are responsible for what we are - that is the fact.

We do not know what we want and yet we are responsible for what we are - that is the fact.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Through the lack of attaching myself to words, my thoughts remain nebulous most of the time. They sketch vague, pleasant shapes and then are swallowed up; I forget them almost immediately.

Through the lack of attaching myself to words, my thoughts remain nebulous most of the time. They sketch vague, pleasant shapes and then are swallowed up; I forget them almost immediately.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
You must be like me; you must suffer in rhythm.

You must be like me; you must suffer in rhythm.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Existence is an imperfection.

Existence is an imperfection.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
There is only one day left, always starting over: It is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.

There is only one day left, always starting over: It is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
People who live in society have learnt how to see themselves, in mirrors, as they appear to their friends. I have no friends: is that why my flesh is so naked?

People who live in society have learnt how to see themselves, in mirrors, as they appear to their friends. I have no friends: is that why my flesh is so naked?

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Nothing happens while you live. The scenery changes, people come in and go out, that's all. There are no beginnings. Days are tacked on to days without rhyme or reason, an interminable, monotonous addition.

Nothing happens while you live. The scenery changes, people come in and go out, that's all. There are no beginnings. Days are tacked on to days without rhyme or reason, an interminable, monotonous addition.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I had found my religion: nothing seemed more important to me than a book. I saw the library as a temple.

I had found my religion: nothing seemed more important to me than a book. I saw the library as a temple.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Man is condemned to be free. Condemned because he did not create himself, yet is nevertheless at liberty, and from the moment he is thrown into this world he is responsible for everything he does.

Man is condemned to be free. Condemned because he did not create himself, yet is nevertheless at liberty, and from the moment he is thrown into this world he is responsible for everything he does.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Better a good journalist than a poor assassin.

Better a good journalist than a poor assassin.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
The worst part about being lied to is knowing you werent worth the truth

The worst part about being lied to is knowing you werent worth the truth

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
As far as men go, it is not what they are that interests me, but what they can become.

As far as men go, it is not what they are that interests me, but what they can become.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
One always dies too soon — or too late. And yet one’s whole life is complete at that moment, with a line drawn neatly under it, ready for the summing up. You are — your life, and nothing else.

One always dies too soon — or too late. And yet one’s whole life is complete at that moment, with a line drawn neatly under it, ready for the summing up. You are — your life, and nothing else.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
As for me, I am mean: that means that I need the suffering of others to exist. A flame. A flame in their hearts. When I am all alone, I am extinguished.

As for me, I am mean: that means that I need the suffering of others to exist. A flame. A flame in their hearts. When I am all alone, I am extinguished.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
To know what life is worth you have to risk it once in a while.

To know what life is worth you have to risk it once in a while.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I found the human heart empty and insipid everywhere except in books.

I found the human heart empty and insipid everywhere except in books.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Being is. Being is in-itself. Being is what it is.

Being is. Being is in-itself. Being is what it is.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
There is a universe behind and before him. And the day is approaching when closing the last book on the last shelf on the far left; he will say to himself,

There is a universe behind and before him. And the day is approaching when closing the last book on the last shelf on the far left; he will say to himself, "now what?

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Little flashes of sun on the surface of a cold, dark sea.

Little flashes of sun on the surface of a cold, dark sea.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
The individual's duty is to do what he wants to do, to think whatever he likes, to be accountable to no one but himself, to challenge every idea and every person.

The individual's duty is to do what he wants to do, to think whatever he likes, to be accountable to no one but himself, to challenge every idea and every person.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Nothingness lies coiled in the heart of being - like a worm.

Nothingness lies coiled in the heart of being - like a worm.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Life has no meaning, the moment you lose the illusion of being eternal.

Life has no meaning, the moment you lose the illusion of being eternal.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I exist. It is soft, so soft, so slow. And light: it seems as though it suspends in the air. It moves.

I exist. It is soft, so soft, so slow. And light: it seems as though it suspends in the air. It moves.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I never could bear the idea of anyone's expecting something from me. It
always made me want to do just the opposite.

I never could bear the idea of anyone's expecting something from me. It always made me want to do just the opposite.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I said to myself, 'I want to die decently'.

I said to myself, 'I want to die decently'.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
In football everything is complicated by the presence of the opposite team.

In football everything is complicated by the presence of the opposite team.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Existence is prior to essence.

Existence is prior to essence.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Your judgement judges you and defines you

Your judgement judges you and defines you

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Once you hear the details of victory, it is hard to distinguish it from a defeat.

Once you hear the details of victory, it is hard to distinguish it from a defeat.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Perhaps its inevitable, perhaps one has to choose between being nothing at all and impersonating what one is.

Perhaps its inevitable, perhaps one has to choose between being nothing at all and impersonating what one is.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
It is only in our decisions that we are important.

It is only in our decisions that we are important.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I am myself and I am here.

I am myself and I am here.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
To think new thoughts you have to break the bones in your head

To think new thoughts you have to break the bones in your head

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I wanted my own words. But the ones I use have been dragged through I don't know how many consciences.

I wanted my own words. But the ones I use have been dragged through I don't know how many consciences.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
The aim of language...is to communicate...to impart to others the results one has obtained...As I talk, I reveal the situation...I reveal it to myself and to others in order to change it.

The aim of language...is to communicate...to impart to others the results one has obtained...As I talk, I reveal the situation...I reveal it to myself and to others in order to change it.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I'd come to realize that all our troubles spring from our failure to use plain, clear-cut language.

I'd come to realize that all our troubles spring from our failure to use plain, clear-cut language.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I am not virtuous. Our sons will be if we shed enough blood to give them the right to be.

I am not virtuous. Our sons will be if we shed enough blood to give them the right to be.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and dies by chance.

Every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and dies by chance.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Life is a useless passion.

Life is a useless passion.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Politics is a science. You can demonstrate that you are right and that others are wrong.

Politics is a science. You can demonstrate that you are right and that others are wrong.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
To eat is to appropriate by destruction.

To eat is to appropriate by destruction.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Better to have beasts that let themselves be killed than men who run away.

Better to have beasts that let themselves be killed than men who run away.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
What do I care about Jupiter? Justice is a human issue, and I do not need a god to teach it to me.

What do I care about Jupiter? Justice is a human issue, and I do not need a god to teach it to me.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Anything, anything would be better than this agony of mind, this creeping pain that gnaws and fumbles and caresses one and never hurts quite enough.

Anything, anything would be better than this agony of mind, this creeping pain that gnaws and fumbles and caresses one and never hurts quite enough.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
My thought is me: that is why I cannot stop thinking. I exist because I think I cannot keep from thinking.

My thought is me: that is why I cannot stop thinking. I exist because I think I cannot keep from thinking.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I’ve dropped out of their hearts like a little sparrow fallen from its nest. So gather me up, dear, fold me to your heart – and you’ll see how nice I can be.

I’ve dropped out of their hearts like a little sparrow fallen from its nest. So gather me up, dear, fold me to your heart – and you’ll see how nice I can be.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I confused things with their names: that is belief.

I confused things with their names: that is belief.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
He is always becoming, and if it were not for the contingency of death, he would never end.

He is always becoming, and if it were not for the contingency of death, he would never end.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Acting is happy agony.

Acting is happy agony.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Who can exhaust a man? Who knows a man's resources?

Who can exhaust a man? Who knows a man's resources?

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Fear? If I have gained anything by damning myself, it is that I no longer have anything to fear.

Fear? If I have gained anything by damning myself, it is that I no longer have anything to fear.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
One is still what one is going to cease to be and already what one is going to become. One lives one's death, one dies one's life.

One is still what one is going to cease to be and already what one is going to become. One lives one's death, one dies one's life.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Fascism is not defined by the number of its victims, but by the way it kills them.

Fascism is not defined by the number of its victims, but by the way it kills them.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Death is a continuation of my life without me...

Death is a continuation of my life without me...

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I say a murder is abstract. You pull the trigger and after that you do not understand anything that happens.

I say a murder is abstract. You pull the trigger and after that you do not understand anything that happens.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Every age has its own poetry; in every age the circumstances of history choose a nation, a race, a class to take up the torch by creating situations that can be expressed or transcended only through poetry.

Every age has its own poetry; in every age the circumstances of history choose a nation, a race, a class to take up the torch by creating situations that can be expressed or transcended only through poetry.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
The existentialist says at once that man is anguish.

The existentialist says at once that man is anguish.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Neither sex, without some fertilization of the complimentary characters of the other, is capable of the highest reaches of human endeavor.

Neither sex, without some fertilization of the complimentary characters of the other, is capable of the highest reaches of human endeavor.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I do not think therefore I am a moustache

I do not think therefore I am a moustache

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
One could only damage oneself through the harm one did to others. One could never get directly at oneself.

One could only damage oneself through the harm one did to others. One could never get directly at oneself.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
One cannot become a saint when one works sixteen hours a day.

One cannot become a saint when one works sixteen hours a day.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Evil is the product of the ability of humans to make abstract that which is concrete.

Evil is the product of the ability of humans to make abstract that which is concrete.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I can receive nothing more from these tragic solitudes than a little empty purity.

I can receive nothing more from these tragic solitudes than a little empty purity.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
An individual chooses and makes himself.

An individual chooses and makes himself.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Existence is not something which lets itself be thought of form a distance; it must invade you suddenly, master you, weigh heavily on your heart like a great motionless beast - or else there is nothing at all.

Existence is not something which lets itself be thought of form a distance; it must invade you suddenly, master you, weigh heavily on your heart like a great motionless beast - or else there is nothing at all.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
Once freedom lights its beacon in man's heart, the gods are powerless against him.

Once freedom lights its beacon in man's heart, the gods are powerless against him.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre
I hate victims who respect their executioners.

I hate victims who respect their executioners.

Jean Paul Charles Aymard Sartre