One cannot know what he should want, because he lives a single life and cannot compare it to his previous lives, nor correct it in the next ones.
by Milan Kundera
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The quote from Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" suggests that individuals cannot truly know their desires or aspirations. This limitation arises from the fact that each person experiences only one life. Without the ability to draw comparisons to past lives or make adjustments in future ones, individuals are left with a singular perspective on existence. This creates a sense of uncertainty and disorientation regarding what one should genuinely seek or value.

Kundera's reflection highlights the deeper philosophical theme of lightness versus weight in life decisions. The notion that we cannot revise our choices or understand their implications in a broader existential context can instill a feeling of both freedom and burden. It encapsulates the complexity of human experience, where the weight of responsibility and the lightness of possibility coexist, shaping how we navigate our desires and choices in life.

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February 23, 2025

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