29 Inspirational Joseph Campbell Quotes About Life

29 Inspirational Joseph Campbell Quotes About Life

Last updated on January 8th, 2024 at 11:01 am

Joseph Campbell” by “Joan Halifax (Upaya)“, licensed under CC BY 2.0

Joseph John Campbell was a talented novelist and renowned professor of literature at Sarah Lawrence College.

On March 26, 1904, Campbell was born in White Plains, New York. He received his diploma from New Milford, Connecticut’s Canterbury School, in 1921. Campbell went to Columbia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature in 1925 and a Master of Arts in mediaeval literature in 1927. He specialized in comparative mythology and religion.

Campbell noticed parallels in myths and beliefs from diverse literature and cultures and concluded that they couldn’t be coincidences. His most well-known novel, “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” was released in 1949 and encompassed many elements of the human experience.

Here is a collection of Joseph Campbell quotes for you to read and enjoy.

Joseph Campbell Quotes About Life

He’d accumulated several life lessons throughout his work as an American mythologist, writer, and lecturer, which you might use to live a more meaningful and purposeful journey in life. Here are some Joseph Campbell quotes about life.

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL
SOURCE: THE POWER OF MYTH

“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“I think the person who takes a job in order to live —that is to say, for the money— has turned himself into a slave.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

You’ve got to say yes to this miracle of life as it is, not on condition that it follows your rules.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL
Joseph Campbell Quotes About Life
“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe—to match your nature with Nature.”

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived. Follow the path that is no path, follow your bliss.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL
SOURCE: THE HERO’S JOURNEY

“Midlife is when you reach the top of the ladder and find that it was against the wrong wall.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“Your life is much deeper and broader than you conceive it to be here.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

Inspirational Joseph Campbell Quotes

From his youth, he was well-versed in the rites of his Irish Catholic religion and had studied Native American culture extensively. His extensive research and travel and his work in comparative mythology and religion molded him into what many regards as a wise man.

Here is a list of inspirational Joseph Campbell quotes.

“Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL
Inspirational Joseph Campbell Quotes
“If you are falling, dive.”

“Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging.” 

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

There’s nothing you can do that’s more important than being fulfilled.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“Your life is the fruit of your own doing. You have no one to blame but yourself.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” 

JOSEPH CAMPBELL
SOURCE: A JOSEPH CAMPBELL COMPANION

“When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL
Inspirational Joseph Campbell Quotes
“You are the hero of your own story.”

“If you are on the right path you will find that invisible hands are helping.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“The goal of life is rapture. Art is the way we experience it.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

Joseph Campbell Quotes on Love

Campbell’s work is centered on mythical tales and their relevance to everyday life. However, because the stories were based on primary human events like birth, sex, death, love, or heroism, they may be applied to various situations and cultures. He wrote everything intending to let others understand how they deserved to be treated.

Read on to these Joseph Campbell quotes on love.

Marriage is not a love affair. A love affair has to do with immediate personal satisfaction.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“Love is the burning point of life, and since all life is sorrowful, so is love.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“What evokes our love—and I mean love, not lust—is the imperfection of the human being. So, when the imperfection of the real person peaks through, say, ‘This is a challenge to my compassion.’ Then make a try, and something might begin to get going.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL
Joseph Campbell Quotes on Love
“Love itself is pain, you might say—the pain of being truly alive.”

“Both the artist and the lover know that perfection is not loveable. It is the clumsiness of a fault that makes a person lovable.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“When people get married because they think it’s a long-time love affair, they’ll be divorced very soon, because all love affairs end in disappointment. But marriage is a recognition of a spiritual identity.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“The stronger the love, the more the pain.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“Love is perfect kindness.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

“When your heart speaks, take good notes.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

Whether or not you agree with Joseph Campbell’s religious and worldview convictions, there is much to be learned from his wise comments. Allow his words of wisdom to motivate and empower you to take charge of your life. We have more control over life and outcomes as a society than we realize. Make the decision today to take charge of your days and thoughts.

Let us know which Joseph Campbell quotes inspired you to think bigger, question your assumptions, and broaden your perspective.

You can also check out 40 Best Ernest Hemingway Quotes To Help You Live A Happier Life.

Curated by: Divya Singh

Nitesh Kuchhal, an IIM Calcutta graduate, is more than an educator—he's a mentor. With a passion for leadership and entrepreneurship, and travel. He has explored over 20 countries. Beyond teaching, he dives into psychology and discusses social issues. Though he is not a history expert, he enjoys learning about it through books, adding a historical touch to his many interests.

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