Single Idea 22027

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 7. Existential Action]

Full Idea

Life must not be a novel that is given to us, but one that is made by us.

Gist of Idea

Life isn't given to us like a novel - we write the novel

Source

Novalis (Logological Fragments I [1798], 99)

Book Reference

Novalis: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Stoljar,M.M. [SUNY 1997], p.66


A Reaction

The roots of existentialism are in the Romantic movement. Sartre seems to have taken this idea literally.