Jean-Paul Sartre

Existentialism

Modern influential 147 sayings

Sayings by Jean-Paul Sartre

The world is full of things that are useless.

1938 — Nausea
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am unable to refuse to accept the responsibility of my own freedom.

1943 — Being and Nothingness
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Man is a future.

1946 — Existentialism Is a Humanism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only way to overcome the absurd is to live it.

1938 — Nausea
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

To be is to choose.

1943 — Being and Nothingness
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We are our own nothingness.

1943 — Being and Nothingness
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The moment you realize that you are not a victim, you become free.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections, precise original source debated but consistent with his phil…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There are no innocent victims.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections, precise original source debated but consistent with his phil…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Man is responsible for his own choices, even if he chooses not to choose.

1946 — Existentialism Is a Humanism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The past is never dead. It's not even past.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections, precise original source debated. While evocative of his idea…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

To be free is not to be able to do what one wants, but to want what one can do.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections, precise original source debated but consistent with his phil…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The true nature of man is to be free.

1943 — Being and Nothingness
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world is a game, and we are the players.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections, precise original source debated but consistent with his phil…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

What is life but a series of choices?

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections, precise original source debated but consistent with his phil…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Man is a being for whom existence is a question.

1943 — Being and Nothingness
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only thing that can save man is to take responsibility for his own existence.

1946 — Existentialism Is a Humanism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.

Unknown — Attributed, often cited in collections, precise original source debated but consistent with his phil…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world is not a friendly place.

1938 — Nausea
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Man is a perpetually frustrated god.

1943 — Being and Nothingness
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We are condemned to be free, but we are also condemned to be responsible.

1946 — Existentialism Is a Humanism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable