One of nineteenth century's greatest philosophers, Arthur Schopenhauer made his mark by a fearless insistence on addressing realities rather than abstract ideas, an approach which invited as much heated criticism as it did respect. In The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims, Schopenhauer discusses a range of topics - among them, possessions, reputation, sexual passions and religion - and presents a stark analysis of the human condition before offering an equally bold solution to optimise happiness. His pragmatic approach is based on his concept of a force in nature he calls "will" which he sees as the fundamental reality of the world. This blind, irrational imperative continually struggles to realise itself and in so doing the organism evolves, producing - in the case of man - self-aware intelligence by which Will became conscious of itself. Unfortunately for human happiness, Will is forever manifesting as desires and its relentless drive more often than not brings pain. The only way for a wise man to achieve relief from such suffering, argues Schopenhauer, is for him to renounce the impulses of the Will and thereby control its negative influence over his wellbeing. These are two provocative works, made all the more readable by Schopenhauer's pungent wit and animated style. Aziloth Books' edition of The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims includes a lucid appraisal of Schopenhauer's philosophy by translator T. Bailey Saunders.

First published in 1851, "The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims" is a collection of essays by famed German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. He is perhaps best known for his 1818 work "The World as Will and Representation" and developed an enduring reputation for his philosophical pessimism, in contrast to the idealism of Immanuel Kant. Much of Schopenhauer's work is a reaction to post-Kant German romanticism. In "The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims", two of Schopenhauer's well-known essays are brought together and explore the thoughts behind his more realistic and pessimistic worldview. He rejects the usual goals in life of money, fame, pride, social position, and material and physical pleasures in favor of development of one's inner mind and a strong and healthy body. Schopenhauer was one of the first Western philosophers to embrace Eastern and Buddhist thought and his preference for a more meditative and ascetic life is evident in these essays. While Schopenhauer is well-known for his critical and pessimistic philosophy, his writing style is warm, entertaining, and charming, while at the same time being full of profound thought and substance. "The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims" remains an engaging and thoughtful discourse on life and happiness. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"Schopenhauer: The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims," by philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, offers a more accurate and realistic outlook on life than his student, Friedrich Nietzsche. While many disagree with Schopenhauer's renunciation of life, there is much to agree with in this book. Schopenhauer doesn't see a whole lot to celebrate in this vale of tears. His general view in "Schopenhauer: The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims," is summed up thus: Life is hell. Try to find a room furthest from the flames. If you tend towards a sunnier view of things then you're very likely to find this book by the grandmaster of philosophical pessimism unduly cynical. But if you've pretty much had it with the world and seldom meet a man (or woman) you wouldn't rather see the back of, you'll be delighted to find a fellow traveler and find wit and solace in Schopenhauer's acidic view of this "wonderful gift of life." Though riddled with hard-nosed realism and misanthropy, "Schopenhauer: The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims," is positively entertaining and enjoyable. Schopenhauer's style is fluid, prosaic, and imaginative, unlike most German philosophy. In lieu of modern world events, it is probably more relevant a work today than ever before. Schopenhauer discusses an array of subjects, such as the emptiness of those things commonly pursued by the masses (money, status/position, vanity, sensual pleasure, etc.), and those most commonly ignored by most (temperance, good health, character, individuality, and developing one's mind). Small, fleeting pleasures notwithstanding, Schopenhauer casts an unflinchingly jaundiced eye on the experience of human life and doesn't sweeten the pill. For its bracing honesty alone, this book deserves its reputation as one of the greatest philosophical manuals of how to best live our lives ever written.

If my object in these pages were to present a complete scheme of counsels and maxims for the guidance of life, I should have to repeat the numerous rules—some of them excellent—which have been drawn up by thinkers of all ages, from Theognis and Solomon down to La Rochefoucauld; and, in so doing, I should inevitably entail upon the reader a vast amount of well-worn commonplace. But the fact is that in this work I make still less claim to exhaust my subject than in any other of my writings. An author who makes no claims to completeness must also, in a great measure, abandon any attempt at systematic arrangement. For his double loss in this respect, the reader may console himself by reflecting that a complete and systematic treatment of such a subject as the guidance of life could hardly fail to be a very wearisome business. I have simply put down those of my thoughts which appear to be worth communicating—thoughts which, as far as I know, have not been uttered, or, at any rate, not just in the same form, by any one else; so that my remarks may be taken as a supplement to what has been already achieved in the immense field.

"Counsels and Maxims" is a collection of essays and aphorisms written by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. Originally published in 1851 as "Aphorismen zur Lebensweisheit" (Aphorisms on the Wisdom of Life), it offers profound insights into human nature, ethics, and the pursuit of a meaningful existence. In the book, Schopenhauer distills his philosophical thoughts into concise and thought-provoking passages. He explores a wide range of topics, including happiness, love, death, morality, and the nature of reality. Drawing from his studies in Eastern philosophy, particularly Buddhist and Hindu thought, as well as his own observations of human behavior, Schopenhauer presents a pessimistic view of life tempered with moments of profound wisdom and clarity. The aphorisms in "Counsels and Maxims" are characterized by their incisiveness and depth, offering readers timeless reflections on the human condition. Schopenhauer's writing style is concise yet powerful, and his ideas continue to resonate with readers seeking insights into the complexities of existence. Overall, "Counsels and Maxims" serves as a philosophical guidebook for navigating life's challenges and dilemmas, inviting readers to contemplate the nature of reality and their place within it. It remains a significant work in Schopenhauer's oeuvre and a valuable resource for anyone interested in existential philosophy and the pursuit of wisdom.

Excerpt from Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer, Vol. 2: Wisdom of Life, And, Counsels and Maxims Aristotle1 divides the blessings of life into three classes - those which come to us from without, those of the soul, and those of the body Keeping nothing of this division but the number, I Observe that the fundamental differences in human lot may be reduced to three distinct classes. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.