‘A refreshingly spontaneous plunge into deep thought.’
Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It
Wisdom of the Great Philosophers on How to Live
Daniel Klein“Every time I find the meaning of life, they change it.” The words of Reinhold Niebuhr provide the title and set the tone for what is a wryly humorous look at some of the great philosophical pronouncements on how life ought to be lived.
Fifty years ago Daniel Klein embarked on the study of philosophy at Harvard, where he began gathering wise words from the world’s greatest thinkers. Now in his seventies, he revisits these pronouncements with characteristic warmth, charm and wonderfully dry sense of humour. Distilling the wonders of our greatest thinkers, from Epicurus and Nietzsche, all the way to Samuel Beckett, Klein is enlightening and never dull. This is a pithy and eminently readable meditation on one of the most profound subjects there is.
Reviews
Booklist
‘A delightful book that is easily applicable to any stage of life. Even when explaining the underlying theories behind a quote, the author’s writing is understandable for readers who have no prior philosophy background. Yet, philosophy students will also enjoy seeing the discipline applied to everyday life.’
Library Journal
'Klein offers new views on some of the most famous philosophical pronouncements published, with plenty of Pithies for everyone'.
Press Association
‘Wise, witty and entertaining. With his latest book Daniel Klein has given a fascinating spin to the ideas of the great philosophers and made them relevant – even necessary – for the dilemmas and possibilities of everyday living today.’
Roman Krznaric, author of Empathy and The Wonderbox
‘Daniel Klein’s relaxed and humorous style is deceptive. You will enjoy his wit and then realise that you have been treated to his wisdom. It is a superb introduction to philosophy, showing how its problems are not only intriguing and challenging but also of the utmost relevance to our lives.’
Raymond Tallis, author of The Kingdom of Infinite Space
Daniel Klein
Daniel Klein is the co-author of the international bestseller Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar. He is a Harvard graduate in philosophy and an acclaimed writer of both fiction and non-fiction. When not enjoying the slow life on Greek islands, he lives in Massachusetts with his wife. He is seventy-four years old.
Author page
