Quote 48: What Vs Why : “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”— Friedrich Nietzsche
- Dr. ARUN V J
- Oct 18
- 5 min read
Who Was Nietzsche — and Why His Words Still Echo
Friedrich Nietzsche wasn’t your typical philosopher. He didn’t sit in a corner writing about logic or politics — he explored the soul of human existence. Born in 1844 in Germany, Nietzsche was a thinker, poet, and psychologist long before psychology became a science. His life was full of struggle — physical illness, isolation, and unrelenting introspection.
But that’s what gave him his insight. When he said, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how,” he wasn’t speaking from comfort. He said it from pain — the kind that forces you to question the very reason for living. Nietzsche realized something profound: when people have a strong enough “why,” they can endure anything — suffering, failure, or loss.
The “why” becomes a compass when life feels like a storm.
The Missing Question in Our Classrooms
Think about what we were taught growing up.
We were taught what to study.
We were taught how to solve a problem.
But how often were we taught why?
We memorize facts and formulas, but no one asks,
“Why is it like this?”
“Why can’t it be done differently?”
“Why is it even needed?”
Our education system trains us to find answers, not ask questions. The word why — arguably the most powerful in any language — gets buried under textbooks, routines, and expectations.
And somewhere along the way, we stop asking it altogether.
The Forgotten Power of “Why”
The why isn’t just for science or philosophy. It’s fuel for the mind.
It’s what gives meaning to everything we do.
When you know your why, every how becomes bearable.
When you don’t, even simple tasks feel exhausting.
People often ask, “How can I stay motivated?
”But the real question should be: “Why am I doing this in the first place?”
Motivation fades. Purpose doesn’t.
Finding Your Why — Lessons from Real Lives
1. Viktor Frankl – Finding Purpose in Suffering
Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, lived through concentration camps. He lost his family, his freedom, and almost his sanity. Yet, in the darkest of human experiences, he found light.
He realized that people who had a reason to live — a family to reunite with, a dream to fulfill — were more likely to survive. Later, he wrote Man’s Search for Meaning, one of the most powerful books ever written.
Frankl’s “why” was simple: to understand human resilience and help others find meaning, even in suffering.
2. Malala Yousafzai – The Why of Education
Malala didn’t fight for fame or awards. Her “why” was clear — every girl deserves education. When she was shot by extremists, that why became unshakable.
Her pain didn’t break her; it forged her.Because when you know why you’re doing something, obstacles become part of the journey, not the end of it.
3. Dr. Abdul Kalam – The Why of Service
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s “why” wasn’t about power or recognition. It was about contributing to the growth of a nation. His work in aerospace and his humility as President of India came from a deep-rooted why:
“To ignite young minds.”
That one reason carried him through countless failures, challenges, and criticisms.
4. J.K. Rowling – The Why Behind Magic
Before Harry Potter became a global phenomenon, J.K. Rowling was a single mother living on welfare. Her why wasn’t money — it was to tell a story that helped children believe in hope, courage, and friendship.
When publishers rejected her manuscript 12 times, her why kept her writing. The result? A story that touched millions.
Why Is Why So Hard to Find?
Because it’s buried under noise.
Social media tells us what’s trending.
Society tells us what’s expected.
Friends tell us what we should do next.
No one stops to ask, why do you want it?
Finding your why requires silence. It needs discomfort. It demands honesty. Sometimes it takes years — or a moment of crisis — to find it.
What “Why” Is Not
People often confuse why with goals or desires. But they’re different.
💰 Making money isn’t your why.→ Financial freedom might be. The freedom to spend time with your family or build something meaningful — that’s closer to your why.
🏆 Getting promoted isn’t your why.→ The desire to create impact, to lead better teams, or to improve systems — that’s your why.
Your why isn’t a number, title, or object.
It’s the reason behind the reason.
The “Golden Circle” — Simon Sinek’s Way of Explaining It
Simon Sinek, in his book Start With Why, explains the Golden Circle.
Every organization and individual works on three levels:
What they do
How they do it
Why they do it
Most people start with what and how. But great leaders — like Martin Luther King Jr. or the Wright Brothers — started with why.
When you start with why, you inspire, not just inform.
You connect emotionally, not just logically.
And once you know your why, your path becomes clearer — even if it’s hard.
What Happens When You Find Your Why
Clarity – You stop chasing random goals and start focusing on what aligns with your purpose.
Resilience – You bounce back faster from failure.
Peace – You stop comparing yourself to others because your race is your own.
Influence – People feel drawn to you because you radiate direction and conviction.
When you find your why, work feels lighter, relationships feel deeper, and even problems start making sense.
How to Find Your Why (A Simple Framework)
Look Back: What moments made you feel most alive or fulfilled? What patterns do you see?
Ask “Why” Five Times: Like a curious child. Keep asking why until you reach the emotional core.
Listen to Discomfort: What frustrates you in the world? Often, your why hides in your pain points.
Experiment: Try things. Volunteer. Write. Teach. Travel. The why reveals itself in action, not in waiting.
Reflect Regularly: Your why evolves. What mattered five years ago might change. Revisit it often.
The Truth Most People Miss
You don’t find your why — you remember it.
It’s been there since you were a child.
Before society told you what to be, you already knew why you wanted to do something.
We were born curious.
We just need to return to that state of wonder — and keep asking why.
Final Thought — The Return of “Why”
We live in a world obsessed with how-tos — how to get rich, how to be productive, how to stay happy.
But before the how, there’s always the why.
Nietzsche understood it.
Frankl lived it.
Sinek explained it.
And maybe now, it’s your turn to ask yourself:
Why do I do what I do?
Because when you find your why, the how will always follow.
🧠 Your Turn
If this made you pause and think, share it with someone who’s lost in the how.
And if you’d like more reflections like this — join me at www.thirdthinker.com.
Let’s rediscover the art of asking why.