The Wisdom of Life

<p class=ql-align-justify><em style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The happiness we receive from ourselves is greater than that which we obtain from our surroundings -Clemens Alex. Strom. II. 21.</em></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Schopenhauer is one of the few philosophers who can be generally understood without a commentary. Clear vigorous and drawn from life itself his writing stands apart for its rare accessibility and sharp insight. In </span><em style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The Wisdom of Life</em><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> he explores the art of living well-what he calls </span><em style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>eudæmonology</em><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>-offering practical reflections on how to make life as bearable even as happy as possible.</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Departing from his usual metaphysical stance Schopenhauer speaks here as a worldly observer aware of life's illusions but still concerned with the question of how best to live.</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Although this volume can be read independently it is drawn from </span><em style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Parerga and Paralipomena</em><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> a later work intended to complement </span><em style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The World as Will and Representation</em><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>. Like a citadel with many gates Schopenhauer's system allows entry from many points-and here in vivid and worldly reflections he reveals himself as a philosopher who has truly experienced life.</span></p><p></p>