Ten Inspiring Quotes by Viktor Frankl on Psychology and the Human Spirit

Who is Viktor Frankl?

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian psychiatrist, neurologist, and Holocaust survivor. Born in 1905, he is best known for his book “Man’s Search for Meaning,” which chronicles his experiences in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Frankl’s work in psychology focused on the importance of finding meaning and purpose in life, even in the face of extreme suffering and adversity. His profound insights and teachings continue to inspire and influence the field of psychology to this day.

Ten Quotes by Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl’s words offer powerful insights into the human spirit, resilience, and the pursuit of meaning. Here are ten inspiring quotes by Viktor Frankl that shed light on the depths of human psychology:

1. “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
2. “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
3. “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
4. “Don’t aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.”
5. “What is to give light must endure burning.”
6. “The last of the human freedoms is to choose one’s attitudes.”
7. “When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure.”
8. “Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked.”
9. “Man is not fully conditioned and determined but rather determines himself whether he gives in to conditions or stands up to them.”
10. “Live as if you were living already for the second time and as if you had acted the first time as wrongly as you are about to act now!”

Viktor Frankl’s words continue to resonate with individuals seeking to understand the complexities of human psychology and the pursuit of a meaningful life. His insights into the power of choice, resilience, and finding purpose in the face of adversity serve as a timeless reminder of the strength of the human spirit.