Meaning of life quote from Fernando Pessoa (Lisbon)

"Life is an experimentation; it is a test. All we do, all we are, is a preparation for something unknown."

Fernando Pessoa, age 0 (1888 - 1935)

Lisbon, Portugal

April 13, 2026

This perspective on the meaning of life comes from Fernando Pessoa, based in Lisbon, Portugal. As a renowned thinker (1888 - 1935), their words continue to inspire people around the world.

Related Perspectives

"finishing what i start"

— Ash, 23, Lisbon, Portugal

"Perhaps it's the only way to avoid coming to a bad end, to die, that is, when you're still alive."

— José Saramago, 0, Lisbon, Portugal

"Building cooperative housing"

— Li, 17, Lisbon, Portugal

"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet."

— Aristotle, 0, Athens, Greece

Explore More

Quotes from Portugal

Discover more perspectives from this region

Perspectives from people in their Under 20

See how age shapes life's meaning

All Quotes

Browse the full collection of perspectives

View World Map

See all quotes on the interactive globe