A lack of freedom is no longer, in most developed societies, the problem. Our downfall lies in our inability to make the most of the freedom that our ancestors painfully secured for us over three centuries.

—Alain de Botton in Religion for Atheists

freedom difficulty

About Alain de Botton

Portrait of Alain de Botton

Alain de Botton (; born 20 December 1969) is a British author and public speaker. His books discuss various contemporary subjects and themes, emphasizing philosophy's relevance to everyday life. He published Essays in Love (1993), which went on to sell two million copies. Other bestsellers include How Proust Can Change...

More quotations from Alain de Botton

Most of our childhood is stored not in photos, but in certain biscuits, lights of day, smells, textures of carpet.

—Alain de Botton

It's great when you finally realize that being miserable doesn't protect you from bad stuff happening.

—Alain de Botton

pessimism sadness miserable

You get down to work when the fear of having done nothing finally exceeds the fear of doing it wrong.

—Alain de Botton

fear accomplishment error work

One rarely falls in love without being as much attracted to what is interestingly wrong with someone as what is objectively healthy.

—Alain de Botton

love perfection imperfection health

The prestige of the news is founded on the unstated assumption that our lives are forever poised on the verge of critical transformation thanks to the two driving forces of modern history: politics and technology.

—Alain de Botton in Religion for Atheists

news rapid change politics technology

More quotations tagged with “difficulty”

I think I'm only now realizing how hard it must be to be a woman. Too thin or not thin enough. Do your job flawlessly, but don't show up any of the men. Speak up, but don't be bitchy. Smile.

—Christina Lauren in Dating You / Hating You

difficulty feminism struggle

The older you get the stronger the wind gets - and it's always in your face.

—Pablo Picasso

difficulty age struggle

Tis not the dying for a faith that is so hard . . . 'tis the living up to it that is difficult.

—William Makepeace Thackeray

difficulty faith

The stupid believe that to be truthful is easy; only the artist, the great artist, knows how difficult it is.

—Willa Cather

honesty truth difficulty art

I don't think you have to do something so big to be brave. And it's the little things that are harder anyway.

—Morgan Matson in Since You've Been Gone

difficulty bravery