--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only the human spirit can act with…" description: "\"“Only the human spirit can act with volition and consciously change itself; it is the only thing in all creation that is not entirely at the mercy of f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c00/dean-koontz-118_compassion_only-the-human-spirit-can-act-with-volit_1063524.jpg" --- # Only the human spirit can act with volition and… ![“Only the human spirit can act with volition and consciously change itself; it is the only thing in all creation that is not entirely at the mercy of forces outside itself, and it is, therefore, the most powerful and valuable form of energy in the universe. For a time, the spirit may become flesh…” quote by Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c00/dean-koontz-118_compassion_only-the-human-spirit-can-act-with-volit_1063524.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c00/dean-koontz-118_compassion_only-the-human-spirit-can-act-with-volit_1063524.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c00/dean-koontz-118_compassion_only-the-human-spirit-can-act-with-volit_1063524.jpg) > ““Only the human spirit can act with volition and consciously change itself; it is the only thing in all creation that is not entirely at the mercy of forces outside itself, and it is, therefore, the most powerful and valuable form of energy in the universe. For a time, the spirit may become flesh, but when that phase of its existence is at an end, it will be transformed into a disembodied spirit once more.”” [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human consciousness can choose its own path and transform, making it a unique source of power beyond external forces. **In simple terms:** The mind can change itself and is a powerful energy. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑directed growth. Themes self‑determination transformation spirituality power Mood reflective inspired Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal development - spiritual practice - creative problem solving - overcoming adversity Key Concepts free will conscious evolution metaphysics Questions to Reflect On - How do you exercise volition in daily life? - What limits your sense of inner power? A Different Perspective The concept of a disembodied spirit may conflict with materialist views. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Human spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-spirit/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) ## Related quotes > [Only the human spirit can act with volition and consciously change itself; it is the only thing in all creation that is not entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/only-the-human-spirit-can-act-with-volition-and-consciously-change-2/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Listen, bud, you're a disembodied spirit in denial.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-harper/listen-bud-you-re-a-disembodied-spirit-in-denial/) [Dani Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-harper/) > [The disembodied spirit is immortal; there is nothing of it that can grow old or die. But the embodied spirit sees death on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hobbes/the-disembodied-spirit-is-immortal-there-is-nothing-of-it-that-can/) [Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/) > [It's autumn ... and everybody feels like a disembodied spirit then.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/it-s-autumn-and-everybody-feels-like-a-disembodied-spirit-then/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [Without awareness of bodily feeling and attitude, a person becomes split into a disembodied spirit and a disenchanted body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-lowen/without-awareness-of-bodily-feeling-and-attitude-a-person-becomes/) [Alexander Lowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-lowen/) > [“The place that, even disembodied, her spirit recognized because it had drawn her to it for so many years. She entered the House of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-c-cast/the-place-that-even-disembodied-her-spirit-recognized-because-it-had/) [P.C. 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Every drop of my blood sings our song. A song of happiness. There… Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apichatpong-weerasethakul/i-give-you-my-spirit-my-flesh-and-my-memories-every-drop-of-my-blood/) [Apichatpong Weerasethakul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apichatpong-weerasethakul/) > [My principle anguish and the source of all my joys and sorrows from my youth onward has been the incessant, merciless battle between the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/my-principle-anguish-and-the-source-of-all-my-joys-and-sorrows-from/) [Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/) > [I mean the flesh, never fade! The flesh never leave the creation, see, because with that divine spirit the flesh cannot fade. If the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tosh/i-mean-the-flesh-never-fade-the-flesh-never-leave-the-creation-see/) [Peter Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tosh/) > [In each individual the spirit is made flesh, in each one the whole of creation suffers, in each one a Savior is crucified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/in-each-individual-the-spirit-is-made-flesh-in-each-one-the-whole-of/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Now the things done may not be evil or improper; they in fact may be good and godly (such as reading the Bible, praying,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/now-the-things-done-may-not-be-evil-or-improper-they-in-fact-may-be/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh, for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-the-apostle/walk-in-the-spirit-and-ye-shall-not-fulfil-the-lust-of-the-flesh-for/) [Paul the Apostle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-the-apostle/) ## More by Dean Koontz > [“This kind of derangement is emblematic of humankind. Grave faults are said to be only eccentricities, and imperfections are routinely celebrated as mere differences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/this-kind-of-derangement-is-emblematic-of-humankind-grave-faults-are/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“He often remembered his dad's admonition that envy was mental theft. If you coveted another man's possessions, Dad said, then you should be willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/he-often-remembered-his-dad-s-admonition-that-envy-was-mental-theft/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [What really holds their marriage together are mutual respect of an awesome depth, a shared sense of humor, faith that they were brought together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/what-really-holds-their-marriage-together-are-mutual-respect-of-an/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Her mother said that three great powers kept the universe going. The first and the strongest was God. Each of the two additional powers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/her-mother-said-that-three-great-powers-kept-the-universe-going-the/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“I stopped keeping an eye out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve because, when I was five, my mother told me that Santa was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/i-stopped-keeping-an-eye-out-for-santa-claus-on-christmas-eve-because/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“To one degree or another, I have been happy most of my life, in part because the world has infinite charms if you wish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/to-one-degree-or-another-i-have-been-happy-most-of-my-life-in-part/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“This life is just a bootcamp, to test and toughen us, to prepare us for the next life of service in some great adventure.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/this-life-is-just-a-bootcamp-to-test-and-toughen-us-to-prepare-us-for/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“A madman should have a madman’s laugh, not the warm chuckle of a favorite uncle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/a-madman-should-have-a-madman-s-laugh-not-the-warm-chuckle-of-a/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Anger was a reliable defense, but one that allowed no chance of final victory. Anger was a medicine but never a cure, briefly numbing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/anger-was-a-reliable-defense-but-one-that-allowed-no-chance-of-final/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Nothing is predetermined for us, and yet all our possible choices are threads in the vast weave of things, so that we have free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/nothing-is-predetermined-for-us-and-yet-all-our-possible-choices-are/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“In fact, time teaches us that the musical score of life oscillates between that of Psycho and that of The Sound of Music, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/in-fact-time-teaches-us-that-the-musical-score-of-life-oscillates/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Some will accuse me of being judgmental. Thank you. And proud of it. You wreck a kid's life, I have no pity for you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/some-will-accuse-me-of-being-judgmental-thank-you-and-proud-of-it-you/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Waiting is one of the things that humans beings cannot do well, though it is one of the essential things we must do successfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/waiting-is-one-of-the-things-that-humans-beings-cannot-do-well-though/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Dogs know we need to give affection as much as they need to receive it. They were the first therapists; they've been in practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/dogs-know-we-need-to-give-affection-as-much-as-they-need-to-receive/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) [Explore all 1,233 Dean Koontz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) Segun Magbagbeola > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. 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