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Freedom is the alone unoriginated birthright of man, and belongs to him by force of his humanity; and is independence on the will and co-action of every other in so far as this consists with every other person's freedom.
Immanuel Kant
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Freedom is a fundamental human right that exists independently of others' wills, and it must respect the freedom of others.

In this quote, Immanuel Kant emphasizes that freedom is an inherent right of every individual, deriving from their very nature as human beings. He points out that true freedom is not absolute, as it must coexist with the freedom of others, highlighting the social responsibility that comes with individual liberty.

Themes

FreedomHumanityLibertyIndependenceSocial Responsibility

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in discussions about civil rights and human freedom.

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One cannot avoid a certain feeling of disgust, when one observes the actions of man displayed on the great stage of the world. Wisdom is manifested by individuals here and there; but the web of human history as a whole appears to be woven from folly and childish vanity, often, too, from puerile wickedness and love of destruction: with the result that at the end one is puzzled to know what idea to form of our species which prides itself so much on its advantages.
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I shall never forget my mother, for it was she who planted and nurtured the first seeds of good within me. She opened my heart to the lasting impressions of nature; she awakened my understanding and extended my horizon and her percepts exerted an everlasting influence upon the course of my life.
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. . . as to moral feeling, this supposed special sense, the appeal to it is indeed superficial when those who cannot think believe that feeling will help them out, even in what concerns general laws: and besides, feelings which naturally differ infinitely in degree cannot furnish a uniform standard of good and evil, nor has any one a right to form judgments for others by his own feelings. . . .
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Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the oftener and more steadily we reflect on them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.
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