Ask a Philosopher logo

William Shakespeare

What is the meaning of life?

What is the meaning of life? Is it to be merry and full of joy? Or is it to live a life of sorrow, of darkness and despair? Is it to strive for success, to reach the stars and never look back? Or is it to live in the moment, to savor every moment and never look ahead? Is it to be forever young, to never age and never die? Or is it to live life to the fullest and embrace the inevitable? Is it to never give up, to never give in, to never surrender? Or is it to accept our fate, to accept our limitations and move forward? Is it to find our purpose, to find the one thing that we are meant to do? Or is it to wander aimlessly and find our true selves along the way? Is it to leave a legacy, to be remembered and revered by future generations? Or is it to be forgotten and pass into the realm of legend? Is it to be a leader, to guide and inspire those around us? Or is it to be a follower, to accept our place and serve those in power? These are all questions that have no easy answers. The meaning of life is something that is unique to each and every one of us, and we must all find our own individual answers."