The goal we pursue is always veiled. A young girl who wants to get married has something that is completely unknown to her. The young man who runs after glory has no idea what glory is. What gives meaning to our conduct is always completely unknown to us. {Part III, ch. 10}
The quote from "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" highlights the idea that our aspirations and desires often remain elusive and beyond our understanding. A young girl may yearn for marriage, yet she is unaware of what that truly entails or the complexities it involves. Similarly, the young man seeking glory is blind to the actual nature of glory itself, illustrating the gap between our pursuits and the deeper truths behind them.
This suggests that the motivations behind our actions are shrouded in mystery. The essence of what drives us is often hidden, and the fulfillment we seek may not correspond to the expectations we hold. Kundera implies that the meaning of our choices and goals is not only personal but also inherently ambiguous, leaving us to navigate our desires without a complete understanding of their implications.
