I am truly free only when all human beings, men and women, are equally free. The freedom of other men, far from negating or limiting my freedom, is, on the contrary, its necessary premise and confirmation.
Mikhail BakuninRead
No theory, no ready-made system, no book that has ever been written will save the world. I cleave to no system. I am a true seeker.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of personal exploration and experience over reliance on established theories or systems.
Mikhail Bakunin's quote reflects a deep philosophical stance on the pursuit of truth and knowledge. He suggests that mere adherence to existing systems, theories, or texts is insufficient for genuine understanding or for making a significant impact in the world. Instead, he identifies himself as a 'true seeker,' indicating that personal inquiry and critical examination of established beliefs are paramount for true enlightenment and change.
In practice
During a discussion on the importance of self-discovery in personal growth.
I am truly free only when all human beings, men and women, are equally free. The freedom of other men, far from negating or limiting my freedom, is, on the contrary, its necessary premise and confirmation.
We must overthrow the material and moral conditions of our present-day life. . . . We must first purify our atmosphere and completely transform the milieu in which we live; for it corrupts our instinct and our will, and constricts our heart and our intelligence
The liberty of man consists solely in this, that he obeys the laws of nature because he has himself recognized them as such, and not because they have been imposed upon him externally by any foreign will whatsoever, human or divine, collective or individual.
By striving to do the impossible, man has always achieved what is possible. Those who have cautiously done no more than they believed possible have never taken a single step forward.
By striving to do the impossible, man has always achieved what is possible.
This contradiction lies here: they wish God, and they wish humanity. They persist in connecting two terms which, once separated, can come together again only to destroy each other.
Wherever man exists, he finds the need to redesign, to recreate the world. A more beautiful world, purer, sweeter smelling and more colorful. A garden is probably the spot where the hopes for civilization are best captured. In fact, man defines himself by his garden. My Grandmother standing wordless fifteen minutes Between rows of loganberries, clippers poised in her hand.
Higher than the beasts, lower than the angels, stuck in our idiot Eden.
But time is yet another of God's creations, and as such, it has a life of its own.
Truth is one forever absolute, but opinion is truth filtered through the moods, the blood, the disposition of the spectator.
How difficult it is to reach anything approaching a moderate and relatively calm point of view in the midst of one's emotions.
I believe in standardizing automobiles. I do not believe in standardizing human beings. Standardization is a great peril which threatens American culture.
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