Bears Quote by Erich Fromm
“Can freedom become a burden, too heavy for man to bear, something he tries to escape from?..Is there not also, perhaps, besides an innate desire for freedom, an instinctive wish for submission?”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Loving, 1956
The quote questions whether freedom can become a burden and suggests an innate desire for both freedom and submission, highlighting a tension in human nature.
In simple terms: Freedom may feel burdensome; humans also seek submission.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and balance the need for autonomy and belonging.
Themes
freedom
burden
submission
human nature
psychology
Mood
contemplative
analytical
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- career choices
- political activism
- creative expression
Key Concepts
existentialism
dualism
psychodynamic theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel more drawn to freedom or submission?
- How does this tension affect your decisions?
A Different Perspective
Too much freedom can lead to anxiety; submission may limit growth.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)
