22 Joseph Campbell Quotes to Learn How to Find Joy in Sorrow
Joseph Campbell was a prolific American author and a professor of literature, well-known for his work on comparative mythology and comparative religion.
Campbell saw parallels between beliefs and myths from various cultures and literatures and thought that it couldn’t be a coincidence. He studied the universal function of myth and concluded that people’s beliefs all around the world are similar, thus they can’t be interpreted as the result of independent historical development.
During the Great Depression, Campbell engaged in an intensive study to prove his theory. He used to dedicate nine hours per day to reading, for five years straight. Freud and Jung had a great influence on Campbell’s work, and he is often labeled as a Jungian because of the similarities between dream and myth symbolic interpretation.
Since the publication of The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell’s theory influenced the work of other modern artists like George Lucas. The book is now on Time’s list of 100 best and most influential books written in English.
Here are 22 Joseph Campbell quotes that will teach you how to follow your bliss.
Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.
The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.
Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.
If you are falling....dive.
If the path before you is clear, you're probably on someone else's.
The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.
The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with nature.
The agony of breaking through personal limitations is the agony of spiritual growth.
Myths are public dreams, dreams are private myths.
Those who think they know how the universe could have been had they created it, without pain, without sorrow, without time, without death, are unfit for illumination.
We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
Follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be.
Your sacred space is where you can find yourself over and over again.
We're not on our journey to save the world but to save ourselves. But in doing that, you save the world. The influence of a vital person vitalizes.
The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come. At the darkest moment comes the light.
Instead of clearing his own heart the zealot tries to clear the world.
Life is like arriving late for a movie, having to figure out what was going on without bothering everybody with a lot of questions, and then being unexpectedly called away before you find out how it ends.
Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging.
All the gods, all the heavens, all the hells, are within you.
And all you have to do to transform your hell into a paradise is to turn your fall into a voluntary act. It's a very interesting shift of perspective and that's all it is... joyful participation in the sorrows and everything changes.
The demon that you can swallow gives you its power, and the greater life’s pain, the greater life’s reply.
Not all who hesitate are lost. The psyche has many secrets in reserve. And these are not disclosed unless required.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.