Only then, approaching my fortieth birthday, I made philosophy my

Yes — that quote is correctly attributed to Karl Jaspers, the German-Swiss psychiatrist and existential philosopher.

“Only then, approaching my fortieth birthday, I made philosophy my life's work.”
— Karl Jaspers

Context and Background

This line appears in Karl Jaspers’ autobiographical reflections, where he describes the turning point in his career. Originally trained and working as a psychiatrist, Jaspers made significant contributions to the field of psychopathology before turning fully to philosophy around the age of forty.

His transition marked the beginning of a profound philosophical career — engaging deeply with themes such as existence, freedom, transcendence, and communication. Jaspers went on to become one of the leading figures in existential philosophy, alongside thinkers like Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre.

Interpretation

The quote reflects a moment of self-realization and transformation. Jaspers suggests that philosophical inquiry was not just an academic pursuit for him but a calling — one that emerged after years of studying the human mind from a medical and psychological perspective.

In essence, it captures the maturity of purpose that often accompanies midlife insight: the point where personal experience and intellectual curiosity converge into a lifelong vocation.