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"آزادی نبود تمام موانع برای عمل است که در طبیعت و کیفیت ذاتی عامل وجود ندارند"

Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes Philosopher
Translations
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Quote meaning
Alright, let's dive into this. The heart of this quote is about freedom. Essentially, it’s saying that true liberty means being free from obstacles that aren't part of your inherent nature or inherent abilities. Imagine if you’re a bird. If you’re caged, that’s an external impediment. But if you can't fly because you're a penguin, that’s just how you are naturally.

This idea has roots in the philosophical discussions of the Enlightenment, a time when thinkers were obsessed with concepts of freedom, natural rights, and the essence of human nature. They were debating what it means to be truly free. This quote aligns closely with those discussions, emphasizing that freedom is about removing external barriers, not changing who you are at the core.

Now, think about a real-life example. Consider a young woman passionate about astronomy. She dreams of becoming an astronaut. If society imposes restrictions based on her gender, economic status, or access to education, these are external impediments to her liberty. On the other hand, if she has a condition that physically prevents her from enduring space travel, that’s an intrinsic quality. True liberty for her would mean breaking down those societal barriers, not the physical ones that are part of her nature.

So how do we apply this wisdom in our own lives? Start by identifying what’s holding you back. Is it something external, like a lack of resources, support, or opportunities? Or is it something intrinsic, like a personal limitation or a natural boundary? Focus your energy on dismantling the external obstacles. Seek out allies, resources, and strategies to overcome these barriers. But also, accept and understand your inherent qualities. Use them to your advantage instead of seeing them as limitations.

Let’s make this more relatable. Picture this: You're in a small town where everyone knows everybody. You’re passionate about art, but there's no art school nearby and people are skeptical about making a living from art. These are external impediments to your freedom. But let’s say you’re also colorblind. That’s an intrinsic quality. True freedom here means finding a way around the societal and logistical barriers. Maybe you take online courses, find a mentor, or slowly change the community’s perception of art. You work with your colorblindness, perhaps focusing on forms, textures, or even embracing a unique use of color.

By understanding and removing external obstacles while accepting and adapting to our intrinsic qualities, we can achieve a state of true liberty. It’s not about changing who you are fundamentally but about making the world around you less restrictive. It’s like clearing a path in a forest. You’re not changing the forest; you’re just making it easier to walk through.

In the end, liberty is about embracing who you are and fighting against the external forces that try to limit you. It’s a bit like life hacking—finding those clever workarounds to make the world fit you better, rather than trying to fit yourself into a world full of unnecessary barriers.
Related tags
Action Agency Freedom Individualism Liberty Nature Philosophy Self-determination
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