How have wisdom traditions approached the question of what gives a human life meaning and direction?
These passages explore meaning and direction through duty, virtue, relationship, and liberation. Each tradition answers the question of purpose from within its own understanding.
Common Ground
These traditions teach that a human life has a proper aim and that discovering and pursuing it is the central task. Marcus Aurelius writes that our true end is to do what is proper to a person, our duty. Epictetus states that we were made for a purpose. Mencius names benevolence and righteousness as the proper themes of life, setting them above profit. The Dhammapada describes the wise person clearing the way to liberation. Across these sources, meaning is found in living according to what is right and proper, though each tradition defines what is right differently.
Be it all one unto thee, whether half frozen or well warm; whether only slumbering, or after a full sleep; whether discommended or commended thou do thy duty: or whether dying or doing anything else, that thy true end be this, to do that which is proper to man.
Stoicism - Meditations, Book VI, Marcus Aurelius, Meric Casaubon, 1634
Read in the libraryBut now because we do not know the future, it is our duty to stick to the things which are in their nature more suitable for our choice, for we were made among other things for this purpose.
Stoicism - Discourses of Epictetus, 'How We May Discover the Duties of Life from Names,' George Long, 1877
Read in the library'There never has been a benevolent man who neglected his parents. There never has been a righteous man who made his sovereign an after consideration.'
Confucianism - Mencius, Chapter 1, James Legge, 1861
Read in the library'Let your Majesty also say, Benevolence and righteousness, and let these be your only themes. Why must you use that word, profit?'
Confucianism - Mencius, Chapter 1, James Legge, 1861
Read in the libraryA wise and good man who knows the meaning of this, should quickly clear the way that leads to Nirvâna.
Buddhism - The Dhammapada, v. 289, F. Max Müller, 1881
Read in the libraryDifferent Paths
Stoicism
Stoicism grounds purpose in duty: a person's end is to do what is proper to a human being, which means living according to reason and fulfilling one's role in the shared community of existence.
Browse Stoicism sourcesConfucianism
Confucianism defines purpose through benevolence and righteousness: meaning comes from how one treats parents, sovereign, and community, and the proper aim of life is moral cultivation in relationship.
Browse Confucianism sourcesBuddhism
Buddhism grounds purpose in the path to liberation: the wise person clears the way to Nirvana, and meaning comes from understanding the nature of suffering and the way beyond it.
Browse Buddhism sourcesRelated
When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy.
Taoism - The Tao Te Ching, ch. 18, James Legge, 1891
Sources
All passages are drawn from public domain sources. Read them in full in the library.