--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Is there not also, perhaps, besides an…" description: "\"“Is there not also, perhaps, besides an innate desire for freedom, an instinctive wish for submission? If there is not, how can we account for the attr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/erich-fromm-367_freedom_is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-inn_2735032.jpg" --- # Is there not also, perhaps, besides an innate desire for… ![“Is there not also, perhaps, besides an innate desire for freedom, an instinctive wish for submission? If there is not, how can we account for the attraction which submission to a leader has for so many today? Is submission always to an overt authority, or is there also submission to internalized…” quote by Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/erich-fromm-367_freedom_is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-inn_2735032.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/erich-fromm-367_freedom_is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-inn_2735032.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/erich-fromm-367_freedom_is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-inn_2735032.jpg) > ““Is there not also, perhaps, besides an innate desire for freedom, an instinctive wish for submission? If there is not, how can we account for the attraction which submission to a leader has for so many today? Is submission always to an overt authority, or is there also submission to internalized authorities, such as duty or conscience, to inner compulsions or to anonymous authorities like public opinion? Is there a hidden satisfaction in submitting, and what is its essence? What is it that creates in men an insatiable lust for power?”” [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans desire both freedom and the safety of submission, creating a paradox that fuels power cravings. **In simple terms:** People want freedom but also like to submit, leading to power lust. Key Takeaway Balance autonomy with healthy belonging. Themes psychology power freedom Mood analytical critical Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - leadership - personal growth - political activism Key Concepts authority submission desire social influence Questions to Reflect On - Why do we submit to internal authorities? - How does power satisfy deeper needs? A Different Perspective Submission can become oppressive if unchecked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attraction Submission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attraction-submission-2983732/) [Authority Submission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority-submission-2983733/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Innate Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innate-desire-1627596/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Lust for power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lust-for-power/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Public opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-opinion/) [Submission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/submission/) [Submission Internalized](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/submission-internalized-2983731/) ## Related quotes > [The lust for power is not rooted in strength but in weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-lust-for-power-is-not-rooted-in-strength-but-in-weakness/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [In this innate desire to share with one & only possible mate , the intimate secrets of love , the nothing of shame or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandan-kumar/in-this-innate-desire-to-share-with-one-only-possible-mate-the/) [Chandan Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chandan-kumar/) > [“one’s innate desire for escape.’ Everyone needs to escape, don’t they? In one way or another, I mean.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bradley/one-s-innate-desire-for-escape-everyone-needs-to-escape-don-t-they-in/) [Alan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bradley/) > [You can't throw your ego away, but you can use its innate desire to experience that which is beyond itself to give you the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-can-t-throw-your-ego-away-but-you-can-use-its-innate-desire-to/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [All progress is based upon a universal innate desire on the part of every organism to live beyond its income.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/all-progress-is-based-upon-a-universal-innate-desire-on-the-part-of/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [The desire definitely comes from within. There are only a few people who make it to this level and those are the ones who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-eaton/the-desire-definitely-comes-from-within-there-are-only-a-few-people/) [Ashton Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-eaton/) > [“We all have an innate desire to feel important, be special, and feel appreciated. Considering the universal drive to have those needs met, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/we-all-have-an-innate-desire-to-feel-important-be-special-and-feel/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Rather, genuine compassion is based on the rationale that all human beings have an innate desire to be happy and overcome suffering, just like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/rather-genuine-compassion-is-based-on-the-rationale-that-all-human/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“I believe that the need to have meaningful work is connected to man’s innate desire to improve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/i-believe-that-the-need-to-have-meaningful-work-is-connected-to-man-s/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [“I have an innate desire to take my senses by surprise and expose them to the naked beauty of this earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabah-carrim/i-have-an-innate-desire-to-take-my-senses-by-surprise-and-expose-them/) [Sabah Carrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabah-carrim/) > [From the time I could speak, I knew I wanted to have children. It was just an innate desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-shields/from-the-time-i-could-speak-i-knew-i-wanted-to-have-children-it-was/) [Brooke Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-shields/) > [“All employees have an innate desire to contribute to something bigger than themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jag-randhawa/all-employees-have-an-innate-desire-to-contribute-to-something-bigger/) [Jag Randhawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jag-randhawa/) > [In every one of us there are two ruling and directing principles, whose guidance we follow wherever they may lead; the one being an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/in-every-one-of-us-there-are-two-ruling-and-directing-principles/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [I believe that the fundamental alternative for man is the choice between "life" and "death"; between creativity and destructive violence; between reality and illusions;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/i-believe-that-the-fundamental-alternative-for-man-is-the-choice/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/can-freedom-become-a-burden-too-heavy-for-man-to-bear-something-he/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) ## More by Erich Fromm > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Only when man succeeds in developing his reason and love further than he has done so far, only when he can build a world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/only-when-man-succeeds-in-developing-his-reason-and-love-further-than/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Freedom does not mean license.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/freedom-does-not-mean-license/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“It is hardly necessary to stress the fact that the ability to love as an act of giving depends on the character development of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/it-is-hardly-necessary-to-stress-the-fact-that-the-ability-to-love-as/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [The pace of science forces the pace of technique. Theoretical physics forces atomic energy on us; the successful production of the fission bomb forces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-pace-of-science-forces-the-pace-of-technique-theoretical-physics/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Exploitation and manipulation produce boredom and triviality; they cripple man, and all factors that make man into a psychic cripple turn him also into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/exploitation-and-manipulation-produce-boredom-and-triviality-they/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Well-being is possible to the degree to which one has overcome one's narcissism; to the degree to which one is open, responsive, sensitive, awake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/well-being-is-possible-to-the-degree-to-which-one-has-overcome-one-s/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“The wealth of data to be found in social and political life. The belief that people do not want to make sacrifices is notoriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-wealth-of-data-to-be-found-in-social-and-political-life-the/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [By equality, one once understood equality in the very same sense in which the Bible speaks of equality: that we are all equal, inasmuch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/by-equality-one-once-understood-equality-in-the-very-same-sense-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“Human beings had two basic orientations: HAVING and BEING HAVING: seeks to acquire, posses things even people BEING: focuses on the experience; exchanging, engaging,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/human-beings-had-two-basic-orientations-having-and-being-having-seeks/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“Most people are not even aware of their need to conform. They live under the illusion that they follow their own ideas and inclinations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/most-people-are-not-even-aware-of-their-need-to-conform-they-live/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Just as modern mass production requires the standardization of commodities, so the social process requires standardization of man, and this standardization is called equality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/just-as-modern-mass-production-requires-the-standardization-of/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [To respect a person is not possible without knowing him; care and responsibility would be blind if they were not guided by knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/to-respect-a-person-is-not-possible-without-knowing-him-care-and/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Love is an active power in man; a power which breaks through the walls which separate man from his fellow men, which unite him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/love-is-an-active-power-in-man-a-power-which-breaks-through-the-walls/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“Perhaps most trivial talk is a need to talk about oneself; hence, the never-ending subject of health and sickness, children, travel, successes, what one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/perhaps-most-trivial-talk-is-a-need-to-talk-about-oneself-hence-the/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) [Explore all 558 Erich Fromm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) ## More Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [We live in the greatest country in the world because of the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and the security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/we-live-in-the-greatest-country-in-the-world-because-of-the-veterans/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“No one was more surprised than I to realize that my newfound freedom had been purchased by giving up on eternity and settling for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jessop/no-one-was-more-surprised-than-i-to-realize-that-my-newfound-freedom/) [Carolyn Jessop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jessop/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. Better than your words, your eye tells me all your peril. You are not yet free, you still search for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-breaks-my-heart-better-than-your-words-your-eye-tells-me-all-your/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-don-t-want-to-be-famous-famous-i-m-happy-on-the-second-tier-where-i/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) [Browse all 30,110 Freedom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Is there not also, perhaps, besides an innate desire for freedom, an instinctive wish for submission? If there is not, how can we account for the attraction which submission to a leader has for so many today? Is submission always to an overt authority, or is there also submission to internalized authorities, such as duty or conscience, to inner compulsions or to anonymous authorities like public opinion? Is there a hidden satisfaction in submitting, and what is its essence? What is it that creates in men an insatiable lust for power?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Erich Fromm" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-innate-desire-for-freedom-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Freedom" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-innate-desire-for-freedom-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/erich-fromm-367_freedom_is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-inn_2735032.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/erich-fromm-367_freedom_is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-inn_2735032.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/erich-fromm-367_freedom_is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-inn_2735032.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Is there not also, perhaps, besides an innate desire for freedom, an instinctive wish for submission? If…” — Erich Fromm", "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": "Erich Fromm", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Is there not also, perhaps, besides...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-innate-desire-for-freedom-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/is-there-not-also-perhaps-besides-an-innate-desire-for-freedom-an/#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 } } ] } ```