Q0201
“Man is always more than he knows of himself.” — Karl Jaspers (Philosophy et al. (standard formulation))
Verified English quotation. Primary source: Philosophy et al. (standard formulation). Theme: self.
English
Man is always more than he knows of himself.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to Philosophy et al. (standard formulation) and files it under Existentialism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About Karl Jaspers
Karl Jaspers (1883–1969) was a German psychiatrist-turned-existential philosopher who taught at Heidelberg and later Basel. General Psychopathology professionalized descriptive psychiatry; philosophical works treat freedom, communication, and transcendence.
How to read this passage
To ask about the self is to ask what persists through experience, what can be known from the first-person point of view, and how character is formed. Some traditions treat the self as a substantial soul; others as a stream of experience, a social role, or a practical center of agency. This passage enters that discussion through self, existence.
Concepts in this quote
- Self
- Philosophy quotes about self explore identity, responsibility, and the examined life—from Socrates’ unexamined life to modern phenomenology and existential authenticity.
- Existence
- Existence appears in this archive as a live philosophical concern—not a slogan. These verified English passages show how thinkers treat existence as a problem of judgment, practice, or explanation.
How to cite this quotation
APA: Karl Jaspers. (n.d.). Man is always more than he knows of himself. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0201
MLA: Karl Jaspers. “Man is always more than he knows of….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0201.
Chicago: Karl Jaspers. “Man is always more than he knows of….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0201.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “Man is always more than he knows of…”?
The passage is attributed to Karl Jaspers, Philosophy et al. (standard formulation). The archive attributes this English wording to Philosophy et al. (standard formulation) and files it under Existentialism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does Karl Jaspers mean by self?
To ask about the self is to ask what persists through experience, what can be known from the first-person point of view, and how character is formed. Some traditions treat the self as a substantial soul; others as a stream of experience, a social role, or a practical center of agency. This passage enters that discussion through self, existence.