--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Outward, thanks to the knowledge of…" description: "\"Outward, thanks to the knowledge of physical laws, man could subdue (or subjugate...) nature, but inwardly, he remained a slave to it. For, when all is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/african-spir-10042_activity_outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physi_368957.jpg" --- # Outward, thanks to the knowledge of physical laws, man… ![“Outward, thanks to the knowledge of physical laws, man could subdue (or subjugate...) nature, but inwardly, he remained a slave to it. For, when all is said and done, at what is aiming all this display (or deployment) of activity, if not to realized outward profits, to provide material pleasure…” quote by African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/african-spir-10042_activity_outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physi_368957.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/african-spir-10042_activity_outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physi_368957.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/african-spir-10042_activity_outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physi_368957.jpg) > “Outward, thanks to the knowledge of physical laws, man could subdue (or subjugate...) nature, but inwardly, he remained a slave to it. For, when all is said and done, at what is aiming all this display (or deployment) of activity, if not to realized outward profits, to provide material pleasure (or enjoyment). It is not the first time that men sell their birth right for a dish of lentils, and thus disown (or repudiate or deny) the best of thmeselves.” [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Man controls external nature but remains enslaved by internal desires and materialism, trading true freedom for fleeting comforts. **In simple terms:** We dominate nature yet are trapped by our own cravings. Key Takeaway Seek deeper purpose beyond material gain. Themes freedom materialism existential human nature Mood reflective critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - personal growth - social critique - philosophical discourse Key Concepts autonomy alienation consumerism Questions to Reflect On - What deeper needs drive your actions? - How can you balance external success with inner freedom? A Different Perspective The quote may overgeneralize human motivation, ignoring altruistic drives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth/) [Enjoyment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoyment/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Lentils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lentils/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/) [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) ## Related quotes > [Always attempting to tame and subjugate nature is not the solution. But the latest science is helping us to map out a path across…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-roberts/always-attempting-to-tame-and-subjugate-nature-is-not-the-solution/) [Alice Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-roberts/) > [Synchronistic events provide an immediate religious experience as a direct encounter with the compensatory patterning of events in nature as a whole, both inwardly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/synchronistic-events-provide-an-immediate-religious-experience-as-a/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [You know how most people think that eggs are great sources of protein? Well, you only get about six grams from an egg, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-freston/you-know-how-most-people-think-that-eggs-are-great-sources-of-protein/) [Kathy Freston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-freston/) > [“Lentils taste like wartime and look like destruction. They’re the perfect punishment for a traitor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunmi-laditan/lentils-taste-like-wartime-and-look-like-destruction-they-re-the/) [Bunmi Laditan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunmi-laditan/) > [The philosopher Diogenes was eating bread and lentils for supper. He was seen by the philosopher Aristippus, who lived comfortably by flattering the king.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/the-philosopher-diogenes-was-eating-bread-and-lentils-for-supper-he/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [“We were raised on lentils, brown rice, Neil Young, and solstice celebrations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-willis/we-were-raised-on-lentils-brown-rice-neil-young-and-solstice/) [Deborah Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-willis/) > [Actually if you were to buy a bag of dried lentils it would cost you a couple of quid. Some people don't have that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-monroe/actually-if-you-were-to-buy-a-bag-of-dried-lentils-it-would-cost-you/) [Jack Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-monroe/) > [Every November, during the certain holiday people love so much, people take a dead turkey, open up the dead turkey’s ass, or carve out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-yourofsky/every-november-during-the-certain-holiday-people-love-so-much-people/) [Gary Yourofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-yourofsky/) > [I hate with a bitter hatred the names of lentils haricots - those pretentious cheats of the appetite, those tabulated humbugs, those certified aridites…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gissing/i-hate-with-a-bitter-hatred-the-names-of-lentils-haricots-those/) [George Gissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gissing/) > [I wasn't eating the right kinds of calories. I didn't know about healthy carbs such as brown rice and lentils. Now I eat small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-sweeney/i-wasn-t-eating-the-right-kinds-of-calories-i-didn-t-know-about/) [Alison Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-sweeney/) > [ “\[Her\] idea of a fair trade--her lentils for your caviar.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-corrigan/her-idea-of-a-fair-trade-her-lentils-for-your-caviar/) Maya Corrigan > [The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of foreign origin; but alas, what were those dumplings? Nothing but a few lentils sodden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-institution-and-of-foreign/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [“This recipe is quick to put together and can be a meal in itself. 2 cups (400 g) lentils 6 cups (1.4 L) water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-compart/this-recipe-is-quick-to-put-together-and-can-be-a-meal-in-itself-2/) [Pamela Compart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-compart/) > [It is a great delusion to suppose that flesh-meat of any kind is essential to health. Considerably more than three parts of the work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-booth/it-is-a-great-delusion-to-suppose-that-flesh-meat-of-any-kind-is/) [Catherine Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-booth/) > [I like beans. Lentils are beans, right? I love beans and rice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-fielder/i-like-beans-lentils-are-beans-right-i-love-beans-and-rice/) [Prince Fielder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-fielder/) ## More by African Spir > [There are some who esteem that it is a naivety to believe that a moral regeneration may be possible ("soit possible", Fr.); now, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/there-are-some-who-esteem-that-it-is-a-naivety-to-believe-that-a/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [Up to here, in general, we have mainly stuffed the brain of the young people with a indigestible multitude of varios notions, without thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/up-to-here-in-general-we-have-mainly-stuffed-the-brain-of-the-young/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [When under the influence of certain (or some) reasons (or causes) (alcohol, war, etc - added Spir here) the low instincts are unbridled (or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/when-under-the-influence-of-certain-or-some-reasons-or-causes-alcohol/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [It goes without saying that only inner greatness possess a true value ("une valeur véritable,", Fr.) . Any attempt to rise up (or at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/it-goes-without-saying-that-only-inner-greatness-possess-a-true-value/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [In this world everything that is won to the ideal, is an eternal (or imperishable, - "impérissable", Fr.) good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/in-this-world-everything-that-is-won-to-the-ideal-is-an-eternal-or/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [Nothing that rest on some contradictory basis shall succeed or last in the long run ("ne saurait réussir ou durer, à la longue", Fr.);…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/nothing-that-rest-on-some-contradictory-basis-shall-succeed-or-last/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [Whoever has recognized the vainglory of individuality will not attach any store ("n'attachera aucun prix à", Fr.) to fame. The only one thing which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/whoever-has-recognized-the-vainglory-of-individuality-will-not-attach/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [The basic notion of justice, is that the rights of everybody are equals, in principle. In the rights of others, we have to respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/the-basic-notion-of-justice-is-that-the-rights-of-everybody-are/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [We can, following the exemple of Kant, consider the moral development and improvement of men, as the supreme goal of human evolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/we-can-following-the-exemple-of-kant-consider-the-moral-development/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [It must be all the same to the citizens ("ressortissants", Fr.) of a country that their governing (those in power) speak such language or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/it-must-be-all-the-same-to-the-citizens-ressortissants-fr-of-a/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [Possessions of this world have not been for the exclusive use by such or such category of individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/possessions-of-this-world-have-not-been-for-the-exclusive-use-by-such/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [There are (or is) indeed no contradiction between science and religion, the fields of which are different, and which, far from mutually fighting and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/there-are-or-is-indeed-no-contradiction-between-science-and-religion/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [Whether we had a (good) moral intuition more developed, we would be as much morally disgusted by the rapacity of those who try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/whether-we-had-a-good-moral-intuition-more-developed-we-would-be-as/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [The divine element manifests itself (or show up) in man as well by his aptitude for science, than by his aptitude for virtue. True…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/the-divine-element-manifests-itself-or-show-up-in-man-as-well-by-his/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [The feeling ("sens", Fr.) of solidarity that is born amidst a community rest on the feeling of antagonism arouse (aroused ? arose ?... sorry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/the-feeling-sens-fr-of-solidarity-that-is-born-amidst-a-community/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) [Explore all 68 African Spir quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) ## More Activity quotes > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-must-be-assumed-and-established-as-a-principle-that-the-right-of/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [There were books everywhere in my house. Books were very present. I just loved books. I never understood reading as anything but a pleasurable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lucas/there-were-books-everywhere-in-my-house-books-were-very-present-i/) [Lisa Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lucas/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) Gero Miesenbock > [Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/enjoyment-is-not-a-goal-it-is-a-feeling-that-accompanies-important/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [I have to consider everything I eat; I consider every activity I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kimball/i-have-to-consider-everything-i-eat-i-consider-every-activity-i-do/) [Charlie Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kimball/) > [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Outward, thanks to the knowledge of physical laws, man could subdue (or subjugate...) nature, but inwardly, he remained a slave to it. For, when all is said and done, at what is aiming all this display (or deployment) of activity, if not to realized outward profits, to provide material pleasure (or enjoyment). It is not the first time that men sell their birth right for a dish of lentils, and thus disown (or repudiate or deny) the best of thmeselves.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "African Spir" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physical-laws-man-could-subdue-or/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Activity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physical-laws-man-could-subdue-or/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/african-spir-10042_activity_outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physi_368957.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/african-spir-10042_activity_outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physi_368957.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/african-spir-10042_activity_outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physi_368957.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Outward, thanks to the knowledge of physical laws, man could subdue (or subjugate...) nature, but inwardly…” — African Spir", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "African Spir", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Outward, thanks to the knowledge of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physical-laws-man-could-subdue-or/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physical-laws-man-could-subdue-or/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```