Who said “The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition…”?

Verified

Erich Fromm. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceMan for Himself (1947)

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“The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers.”
— Erich Fromm
VerifiedMan for Himself (1947) · evidenceUncertainty

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Man for Himself (1947).

APA

Fromm, E. (n.d.). The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/40916-the-quest-for-certainty-blocks-the-search-for/

MLA

Fromm, Erich. “The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/40916-the-quest-for-certainty-blocks-the-search-for/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Fromm, Erich. “The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/40916-the-quest-for-certainty-blocks-the-search-for/.

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