Charlie Chaplin called it "a tragedy in close-up"; Bob Dylan said it was a joke. Through the centuries, many eminent figures have opined on the meaning of life. Based on a recent study of the subject, this book offers 365 astute observations—from Muhammad Ali and Maya Angelou to Oscar Wilde and Tennessee Williams.
Richard Kinnier, psychology professor at Arizona State University, has analyzed quotations from hundreds of eminent figures to determine their thoughts on this eternal question. Ten themes emerged from this study of life's meaning: Life is to be enjoyed; We are here to help others; The meaning of life is a mystery; Life is meaningless; We are here to serve God; Life is a struggle; We are here to contribute to society; We are here to seek wisdom and self-actualization; We must create meaning for ourselves; Life is absurd. Using the study as its basis, this compendium offers up an eclectic selection of quotations from "the Great and the Good." Some are profound, others are witty—all of them are true.