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Clear water Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer

“In order to elucidate especially and most clearly the origination of this error (...) let us imagine a man who, while standing on the street, would say to himself: "It is six o'clock in the evening, the working day is over. Now I can go for a walk, or I can go to the club; I can also climb up the…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
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““In order to elucidate especially and most clearly the origination of this error (...) let us imagine a man who, while standing on the street, would say to himself: "It is six o'clock in the evening, the working day is over. Now I can go for a walk, or I can go to the club; I can also climb up the tower to see the sunset; I can go to the theater; I can visit this friend or that one; indeed, I also can run out of the gate, into the wide world, and never return. All of this is strictly up to me, in this I have complete freedom. But still I shall do none of these things now , but with just as free a will I shall go home to my wife". This is exactly as if water spoke to itself: "I can make high waves (yes! in the sea during a storm), I can rush down hill (yes! in the river bed), I can plunge down foaming and gushing (yes! in the waterfall), I can rise freely as a stream of water into the air (yes! in the fountain), I can, finally boil away and disappear (yes! at a certain temperature); but I am doing none of these things now, and am voluntaringly remaining quiet and clear water in the reflecting pond.””

Arthur Schopenhauer

About This Quote

Source Philosophical Essay: On Freedom of the Will, 1841

Even with unlimited choices, one may choose inaction, illustrating true freedom as restraint.

In simple terms: Freedom can mean choosing to do nothing.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the power of deliberate stillness.

Themes

freedom choice will

Mood

contemplative calm

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • daily decision making
  • creative pauses
  • meditation
  • strategic planning

Key Concepts

determinism existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

  • When does restraint become stagnation?
  • How does deliberate stillness serve growth?
A Different Perspective

Inaction can be missed as avoidance.

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