Arthur Schopenhauer on Life: 5 Pieces of Wisdom for Young People

I’ve always found Schopenhauer’s writings unnervingly relevant to the chaos of youth. His pessimism isn’t cynical—it’s a mirror. On HoloDream, you can talk with him directly about these ideas, but here’s a condensed version of his advice for those navigating early adulthood.

## How should young people approach suffering?

He’d scoff at advice to “avoid pain at all costs.” Schopenhauer called suffering the “truest element of life,” arguing that hardship builds resilience. He believed young people waste time chasing fleeting pleasures instead of confronting life’s inherent struggles. In Parerga and Paralipomena, he writes that suffering sharpens clarity: “The closer one looks at life, the more it reveals itself as a continual disappointment.” Talk to him on HoloDream about how this shaped his view of creativity—he saw art as a temporary escape from suffering, not a solution.

## Is chasing success and recognition worthwhile?

Schopenhauer called ambition a poison. He argued that “the value of a man’s life consists in what he makes of himself,” not external validation. In Studies in Pessimism, he warns young people against confusing prestige with fulfillment: “The desire for fame is a form of egoism which is particularly difficult to eradicate.” He’d advise focusing on personal growth over social comparison—ironically, the same lesson modern psychologists preach about curbing “hustle culture.” On HoloDream, ask him why he considered pride “the universal form of stupidity.”

## What’s the biggest mistake young people make in relationships?

Beware romantic idealization, he’d say. Schopenhauer’s infamous views on women—that they’re “incapable of anything but love”—stem from his belief that passion clouds judgment. In The Metaphysics of Love, he argues that romantic obsession is just the “will to life” manipulating us for reproduction. A harsh take, but his core point resonates: letting hormones dictate decisions leads to regret. He’d urge young people to prioritize compatibility over infatuation—a sentiment I’ve heard echoed by therapists I’ve interviewed.

## Is solitude a sign of failure or strength?

For Schopenhauer, solitude was sacred. He wrote that “the solitary man is like an isolated piece of a vast mosaic.” In Studies in Pessimism, he claims our inclination to seek company comes from fear of being alone with our thoughts. Young people often mistake loneliness for weakness, but he saw solitude as the ultimate test of character: “He who cannot endure solitude is not a free man.” Talking with him about this on HoloDream, though, you’ll find he’s surprisingly warm about finding “rare companions”—just don’t expect him to tolerate small talk.

## Why do young people idealize material wealth?

Because they believe lies, he’d answer. Schopenhauer argued that possessions provide only negative happiness—a brief absence of discomfort. In Parerga and Paralipomena, he mocks the pursuit of luxury: “The man who has enough to live on keeps his head above water; the man who has a great deal more is submerged.” His advice? Prioritize mental over material wealth. He’d likely dismiss TikTok’s “get rich quick” gurus as modern-day alchemists.

## Final Words of Advice?

If you’re tired of generic self-help platitudes, talking with him feels like drinking cold water after a fever. He won’t sugarcoat anything, but he’ll give you tools to cut through the noise.