The Wisdom of Joseph Campbell

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”
― Joseph Campbell

The brilliant and one of the most profound writers I’ve had the privilege to read, Joseph Campbell, died on this day in 1987.

Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) was an American mythologist, writer, and lecturer who is best known for his groundbreaking work in the field of comparative mythology and the exploration of the human experience through the lens of mythology.

One of Campbell's most influential ideas was the concept of the "hero's journey" or the "monomyth." He proposed that many of the world's myths and stories follow a common pattern, where a hero embarks on an adventure, faces trials and tribulations, and returns transformed. This concept had a profound impact on literature, film, and storytelling.

Star Wars director George Lucas was profoundly influenced by Joseph Campbell’s seminal work The Hero With A Thousand Faces (1949).

Below I’d like to share with you all a few of my favorite passages from Campbell’s vast works along with a list of my favorite books. I hope you enjoy it.