Quote by Alain de Botton: “The pleasure of a work of art is meant to be a preparation for the greater pleasure of life.”

This quote suggests that appreciating art isn't an end in itself, but a means to enhance our daily existence. It means that aesthetic experiences can train our perceptions and emotions, preparing us to find deeper beauty, meaning, and joy in the ordinary moments of everyday life.

This idea is central to The School of Life's mission, which seeks to apply philosophical and psychological insights to contemporary living, making art and culture relevant tools for personal well-being in a fast-paced world.

Swiss-British author and philosopher who writes accessibly about how philosophy, art, and architecture bear on everyday emotional life. His books include The Consolations of Philosophy and Status Anxiety, and he co-founded The School of Life in 2008.