Q0342
“It is quite true what philosophy says, that life must be understood…” — Søren Kierkegaard (Journals (1843))
Verified English quotation. Primary source: Journals (1843). Theme: life.
English
It is quite true what philosophy says, that life must be understood backwards. But then one forgets the other principle: that it must be lived forwards.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to Journals (1843) 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 Søren Kierkegaard
Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855) was a Danish religious author and critic of Christendom who wrote under pseudonyms exploring aesthetic, ethical, and religious existence. Inheriting a melancholy family fortune, he attacked Hegelian system and lukewarm official faith in Copenhagen.
How to read this passage
Life is both a biological fact and a practical project. Philosophers debate flourishing, suffering, mortality, and the standards by which a biography can be judged successful or wasted. This passage enters that discussion through life, understanding, action.
Concepts in this quote
- Life
- Philosophy quotes about life ask what makes a life good, meaningful, or worth examining—questions that drive ethics, religion, and everyday decision.
- Understanding
- Understanding appears in this archive as a live philosophical concern—not a slogan. These verified English passages show how thinkers treat understanding as a problem of judgment, practice, or explanation.
- Action
- Action concerns agency: what it is to do something intentionally, and how thought becomes practice.
How to cite this quotation
APA: Søren Kierkegaard. (n.d.). It is quite true what philosophy says, that life must be understood backwards. But then one forgets the other principle: that it must be lived forwards. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0342
MLA: Søren Kierkegaard. “It is quite true what philosophy says, that….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0342.
Chicago: Søren Kierkegaard. “It is quite true what philosophy says, that….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0342.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “It is quite true what philosophy says, that…”?
The passage is attributed to Søren Kierkegaard, Journals (1843). The archive attributes this English wording to Journals (1843) 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 Søren Kierkegaard mean by life?
Life is both a biological fact and a practical project. Philosophers debate flourishing, suffering, mortality, and the standards by which a biography can be judged successful or wasted. This passage enters that discussion through life, understanding, action.