All of us who escaped with our lives through thousands upon thousands of fortunate coincidences or miracles of God—whatever one wishes to call it—we know it and can calmly state it: the best did not return.

— Viktor Frankl (1905–1997), Psychiater

Source: …trotzdem Ja zum Leben sagen: Ein Psychologe erlebt das Konzentrationslager (1946)

Topics: Grief & Comfort, Suffering & the Question of God, Humility & Pride

Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl (1905–1997) war ein österreichischer Neurologe, Psychiater und Philosoph in Wien sowie der Begründer der Logotherapie und Existenzanalyse. Bekannt durch sein Werk »… trotzdem Ja zum Leben sagen«, betonte der Überlebende nationalsozialistischer Konzentrationslager die Freiheit des Menschen, selbst unter schwerstem Leiden eine sinnstiftende Haltung einzunehmen. Für Bibelleser bieten seine Gedanken psychologische Anknüpfungspunkte für Seelsorge und Leidbewältigung, während Fachleute und Historiker einzelne autobiografische Darstellungen und methodische Prämissen seiner Sinnlehre kritisch diskutierten.

All quotes by Viktor Frankl (10)

More on this topic

Ultimately mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of One who can heal.
Henri Nouwen

A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains… Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot block a man’s pathway for even a moment. The shadow of a dog can’t bite; the shadow of a sword can’t kill.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Fits of depression come over the most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

The bells sound, they sound quite differently than usual, when one knows of a dead person whom one loves.
Martin Luther

No greater sorrow than to recall a time of happiness in misery.
Dante Alighieri

Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there's a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see.
Helen Keller

What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.
Helen Keller

All quotes · lumen.bible