Q0418
“Human life is but a yearning — to look toward the far…” — Qian Mu (Ten Essays on Life et al.)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: Ten Essays on Life et al.. Theme: life.
English
Human life is but a yearning — to look toward the far and toward the high.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to Ten Essays on Life et al. and files it under Modern Chinese Thought. 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 Qian Mu
Qian Mu (1895–1990) was a leading modern historian of Chinese thought who defended the continuity of China’s cultural tradition amid revolution and Westernization. Largely self-taught, he taught in mainland universities before settling in Hong Kong and later Taiwan.
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.
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.
How to cite this quotation
APA: Qian Mu. (n.d.). Human life is but a yearning — to look toward the far and toward the high. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0418
MLA: Qian Mu. “Human life is but a yearning — to….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0418.
Chicago: Qian Mu. “Human life is but a yearning — to….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0418.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “Human life is but a yearning — to…”?
The passage is attributed to Qian Mu, Ten Essays on Life et al.. The archive attributes this English wording to Ten Essays on Life et al. and files it under Modern Chinese Thought. 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 Qian Mu 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.