★The longest-running bestseller in philosophy★ ★A sensational book that sparked the Schopenhauer syndrome★ ★A philosophical book for those turning forty, encompassing culture and trends★ A philosophy lesson necessary for those at forty who need to manage a crisis of the heart. At forty, one begins the golden age of life, living with passion, while also coming to the realization that 'life is suffering.' After numerous trials in knowledge, experience, work, and relationships, one may start to achieve what they desire and feel the joy of success. However, at the same time, one also experiences much pain from failures in personal life, society, and existence. In the busy pace of life, there is little time to reflect, leading to feelings of doubt and loss regarding relationships and death. Thus, at forty, one finds themselves at a crossroads, feeling complex emotions. While there is still much life ahead, there is a tendency to think that the same things will repeat as always rather than looking forward to the time ahead. Many things have become so familiar that they feel boring and predictable. Ironically, within the solid world shaped by familiarity and habit, one does not feel comfortable. For those at forty, or those approaching or reflecting on forty, who wish to manage a crisis of the heart and focus on themselves, Schopenhauer's cold advice is needed. Schopenhauer believed that human desires can never be fully satisfied, making life a continuous cycle of suffering, but that from these desires, the strength to live well emerges. He left behind messages and methods indicating that happiness can be found when desires are well managed. Rather than lamenting 'why must we be born to suffer,' he offers a growth-oriented insight that 'one must endure suffering for their own happiness.' This provides a wise solution for those at forty who are contemplating life and experiencing a crisis of the heart. Do not discuss life without Schopenhauer. Schopenhauer is a philosopher whose theories have influenced great minds across various fields, including philosophers, scientists, psychologists, writers, jurists, musicians, and politicians. Many, including Friedrich Nietzsche, Søren Kierkegaard, Charles Darwin, Einstein, Carl Jung, Wagner, Hermann Hesse, Tolstoy, Franz Kafka, Dostoevsky, and Émile Zola, have drawn inspiration from him. Notably, Nietzsche embarked on the path of philosophy through a single book by Schopenhauer, and Wagner praised Schopenhauer throughout his life. However, Schopenhauer was not recognized from the start. In his thirties, he had the opportunity to lecture at the University of Berlin but deliberately scheduled his lectures at the same time as the era's greatest philosopher, Hegel, resulting in no students attending. He also failed to win awards for his papers criticizing Hegel and Fichte, leading him to retreat from the philosophical community. Nevertheless, Schopenhauer endured with the pride that his genius would be recognized by future generations. His fame began to rise in his mid-forties, marking a turning point when he overcame a crisis and began to change his life. The author, Kang Yong-su, who has walked the path of philosophy inspired by Schopenhauer's works, is currently a researcher at the Korea University Institute of Philosophy and teaches there. He conveys methods for self-affirmation and happiness beyond nihilism, presenting 30 insights from Schopenhauer's philosophy and writings that can help manage a crisis of the heart in his book, "Reading Schopenhauer at Forty." Readers can encounter Schopenhauer's reflections on his forties and the precious words he realized and practiced. Schopenhauer's words have been translated and refined from the original German to convey them without misunderstanding. "To live is to suffer." "Man is a mass of countless desires." "Life oscillates between suffering and boredom like a pendulum, and in fact, these two are the ultimate elements of life." "In the paradise where man has sent all his anguish and suffering, only boredom remains." "As the mind becomes richer, the space for inner emptiness diminishes." "The wise seek a state without suffering, not pleasure." "One must know what they want to do and what they can do." "To know how short life is, one must live long enough." "Just as trees need wind to grow strong, humans need exercise to be healthy." "People generally confuse buying books with making the content of those books their own." "Love is the only experience where one can simultaneously experience heaven and hell." "The wise keep a proper distance from the fire, while the foolish plunge their hands into it, burn themselves, and lament that they are fleeing to the cold place of solitude." "All our unhappiness arises from the inability to be alone." "Live with self-esteem." "Remember that today comes only once and will never return." Focus on what you want to do and can do at forty. Schopenhauer, who was recognized only in middle age, expressed his feelings this way: "The reason I can look back on my work with joy is that I was not shaken by what others said." Schopenhauer constantly pondered the meaning of life. As a result, he stated, "All life is suffering," but he did not conclude life solely in suffering. There are two types of suffering. One is the suffering of pursuing 'false happiness,' where the center of gravity of life is outside oneself. The other is the suffering for 'true happiness,' where the center of gravity of life shifts from outside oneself to within. Schopenhauer argued that a certain degree of hardship and suffering is necessary in life, and one must endure the suffering that seeks true happiness. From that, one can gain self-affirmation, pride, independence, dignity, and grace that cannot be taken away or disappear. The key to obtaining this true happiness is to focus on what one wants to do and what one can do. By doing so, one can live firmly without wavering or collapsing. At forty, one may have experienced the suffering of pursuing false happiness until now. If so, then from now on, one must willingly endure the suffering that seeks true happiness. The reason countless people across generations seek Schopenhauer is that each of his words is realistic and immediately understandable. While Schopenhauer is often seen as a pessimistic philosopher who glorified suicide, he was actually optimistic and had a good sense of humor. His writings are imbued with humor. He was keenly aware of the realities of life and money while valuing culture, enjoying reading and the arts. He also maintained his health by walking with his dog, Atman. Schopenhauer knew how to enjoy life and live in balance. For those at forty who are beginning to understand happiness and suffering, for those who wish to see life realistically, and for those who want to shift the center of gravity of life within themselves, the 'practical philosopher' Schopenhauer guides them in managing crises of the heart and living wisely while enjoying life.