The man who has sufficient power over himself to wait until his nature has recovered its even balance is the truly wise man, but such beings are seldom met with.
Giacomo CasanovaRead
Man is free; yet we must not suppose that he is at liberty to do everything he pleases, for he becomes a slave the moment he allows his actions to be ruled by passion.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True freedom comes with self-control; indulgence in passion can lead to enslavement.
Casanova emphasizes that while humanity possesses the gift of freedom, this freedom is conditional. It is essential to maintain control over one's actions; allowing passion to dictate behavior can trap an individual in a cycle of dependence on those urges, undermining their autonomy and making them a 'slave' to their desires.
Themes
FreedomPassionSelf-ControlAutonomySlavery
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal development and self-discipline.
More from Giacomo Casanova
All quotes βI have met with some of them - very honest fellows, who, with all their stupidity, had a kind of intelligence and an upright good sense, which cannot be the characteristics of fools.
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From that moment our love became sad, and sadness is a disease which gives the death-blow to affection.
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The mind of a human being is formed only of comparisons made in order to examine analogies, and therefore cannot precede the existence of memory.
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For my future I have no concern, and as a true philosopher, I never would have any, for I know not what it may be: as a Christian, on the other hand, faith must believe without discussion, and the stronger it is, the more it keeps silent.
Giacomo CasanovaRead
I have had friends who have acted kindly towards me, and it has been my good fortune to have it in my power to give them substantial proofs of my gratitude.
Giacomo CasanovaRead
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