--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The illusion of freedom will continue as…" description: "\"The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to mai..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/frank-zappa-702_brick-wall_the-illusion-of-freedom-will-continue-as_2958145.jpg" --- # The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's… ![“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see…” quote by Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/frank-zappa-702_brick-wall_the-illusion-of-freedom-will-continue-as_2958145.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/frank-zappa-702_brick-wall_the-illusion-of-freedom-will-continue-as_2958145.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a6/frank-zappa-702_brick-wall_the-illusion-of-freedom-will-continue-as_2958145.jpg) > “The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.” [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The notion of freedom is maintained only while it serves profit; when it becomes too costly, the façade is removed, revealing underlying constraints. **In simple terms:** Freedom is a profit‑driven illusion that collapses when costly. Key Takeaway Question the true cost of claimed freedoms. Themes politics economics control Mood skeptical critical inquisitive Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - media analysis - political activism - consumer awareness - education reform Key Concepts Power structures illusion profit motive Questions to Reflect On - How does profit shape perceived freedoms? - What structures hide behind the illusion? A Different Perspective Profit motives can mask true constraints, limiting genuine autonomy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brick wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brick-wall/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Scenery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scenery/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall/) ## Related quotes > [Freedom cannot always continue in comfort and convenience, cannot be assured without sacrifice, without truth and decency, without willingness to work, without downright honesty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-l-evans/freedom-cannot-always-continue-in-comfort-and-convenience-cannot-be/) [Richard L. Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-l-evans/) > [“The real question is, will we as Americans, accustomed to freedom, continue to sheepishly submit to the purveyors of political correctness without recognizing its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-carson/the-real-question-is-will-we-as-americans-accustomed-to-freedom/) [Ben Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-carson/) > [If the self-discipline of the free cannot match the iron discipline of the mailed fist, in economic, political, scientific, and all the other kinds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/if-the-self-discipline-of-the-free-cannot-match-the-iron-discipline/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [In times such as these, people should recognize that evil knows no borders, knows no limits and knows no compassion. Those around the globe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-times-such-as-these-people-should-recognize-that-evil-knows-no/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In peace, continue your art; in war, continue your art; in freedom, continue your art; in captivity, continue your art!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/in-peace-continue-your-art-in-war-continue-your-art-in-freedom/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [We have the illusion of freedom only because so few ever try to exercise it. Try it sometime. Try to save your home from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-hess/we-have-the-illusion-of-freedom-only-because-so-few-ever-try-to/) [Karl Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-hess/) > [“The illusion that freedom is the prerogative of one's own particular race is fairly widespread.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/the-illusion-that-freedom-is-the-prerogative-of-one-s-own-particular/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [Sin creates the illusion of freedom. In the end it fools us into seeking freedom from God rather than finding freedom in God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-mcmanus/sin-creates-the-illusion-of-freedom-in-the-end-it-fools-us-into/) [Erwin McManus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-mcmanus/) > [“It is just an illusion of freedom. We are, perhaps, as free as a railway carriage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venugopal-gupta/it-is-just-an-illusion-of-freedom-we-are-perhaps-as-free-as-a-railway/) Venugopal Gupta > [“The illusion of freedom is just another sort of prison-”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mantchev/the-illusion-of-freedom-is-just-another-sort-of-prison/) [Lisa Mantchev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mantchev/) > [“Free zero-point energy doesn't exist in an illusion of freedom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/free-zero-point-energy-doesn-t-exist-in-an-illusion-of-freedom/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [“You wish to be free, but there is no such thing as freedom. You can redecorate dungeon to give illusion of freedom, but you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-crane/you-wish-to-be-free-but-there-is-no-such-thing-as-freedom-you-can/) [Carolyn Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-crane/) > [“The reason we don't notice the fact that we have no say over the decisions that actually shape our society and economy is because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-guyton/the-reason-we-don-t-notice-the-fact-that-we-have-no-say-over-the/) [Morgan Guyton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-guyton/) > [If freedom is a requisite for human happiness, then all that’s necessary is to provide the illusion of freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-freedom-is-a-requisite-for-human-happiness-then-all-that-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What is there left to understand? Choice is an illusion. Freedom is conceit. The hands that reach out to guide your every step, your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/what-is-there-left-to-understand-choice-is-an-illusion-freedom-is/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) ## More by Frank Zappa > [If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/if-you-want-to-get-laid-go-to-college-if-you-want-an-education-go-to/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [While your children are sleeping, your puppy is crappin'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/while-your-children-are-sleeping-your-puppy-is-crappin/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Very few people do covers of my tunes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/very-few-people-do-covers-of-my-tunes/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Cocaine decisions that you make today, will mean nothing later on when you get nose decay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/cocaine-decisions-that-you-make-today-will-mean-nothing-later-on-when/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Government is the Entertainment division of the military-industrial complex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/government-is-the-entertainment-division-of-the-military-industrial/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Do your job and do it right, life's a ball, TV tonight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/do-your-job-and-do-it-right-life-s-a-ball-tv-tonight/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Fact of the matter is, there is no hip world, there is no straight world. There's a world, you see which has people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/fact-of-the-matter-is-there-is-no-hip-world-there-is-no-straight/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Broken hearts are for assholes, are you an asshole?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/broken-hearts-are-for-assholes-are-you-an-asshole/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Anyone who is disturbed by the idea of newts in a nightclub is potentially dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/anyone-who-is-disturbed-by-the-idea-of-newts-in-a-nightclub-is/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/the-bigger-the-cushion-the-better-the-pushin/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Give me the enchilada with the pickle sauce shoved up between the donkey's ass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/give-me-the-enchilada-with-the-pickle-sauce-shoved-up-between-the/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Sit and spin 'til you rot on the cosmic utensil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/sit-and-spin-til-you-rot-on-the-cosmic-utensil/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [To me absurdity is the only reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/to-me-absurdity-is-the-only-reality/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Is this something new, having people stomp on you? Is it what I need to do for your pleasure?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/is-this-something-new-having-people-stomp-on-you-is-it-what-i-need-to/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Look here brother, who you jivin' with that cosmik debris?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/look-here-brother-who-you-jivin-with-that-cosmik-debris/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) [Explore all 400 Frank Zappa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) ## More Brick wall quotes > [“he can see through a brick wall in time (as they say in Bree). But”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/he-can-see-through-a-brick-wall-in-time-as-they-say-in-bree-but/) [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) > [“How did you know it was me?” she asked. “My dear Professor, I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.” “You’d be stiff if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/how-did-you-know-it-was-me-she-asked-my-dear-professor-i-ve-never/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [I am always really buzzed after each performance, and at around one in the morning, Ill hit a brick wall and need to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-morahan/i-am-always-really-buzzed-after-each-performance-and-at-around-one-in/) [Hattie Morahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-morahan/) > [I still have the desire to do the job of acting. It's just a matter of whether I'll be allowed to do the job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-coleman/i-still-have-the-desire-to-do-the-job-of-acting-it-s-just-a-matter-of/) [Gary Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-coleman/) > [Vladimir Putin is a smart guy. I don't like him, smart guy. He is going to advance the cause of Russia until he hits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-kinzinger/vladimir-putin-is-a-smart-guy-i-don-t-like-him-smart-guy-he-is-going/) [Adam Kinzinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-kinzinger/) > [I fell down the stairs of the one level mental institute.so they put me in the safe cusion room but they found a bruise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-mcswain/i-fell-down-the-stairs-of-the-one-level-mental-institute-so-they-put/) Trinity McSwain > [If you don't break a hole through the brick wall, don't just start digging a new hole. Keep going until you break through that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/if-you-don-t-break-a-hole-through-the-brick-wall-don-t-just-start/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [“The brick walls are there for a reason. they're not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/the-brick-walls-are-there-for-a-reason-they-re-not-there-to-keep-us/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [“I cursed. (S-word, f-word, s-word, d-word, s-word times three, f-word, and a z-word I made up on the spot.) I kicked a brick wall.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-strand/i-cursed-s-word-f-word-s-word-d-word-s-word-times-three-f-word-and-a/) [Jeff Strand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-strand/) > [People who avoid the brick walls - all power to ya, but we all have to hit them sometimes in order to push through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-aniston/people-who-avoid-the-brick-walls-all-power-to-ya-but-we-all-have-to/) [Jennifer Aniston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-aniston/) > [“Shortly after this exchange my roommate suggested we start throwing water balloons at the construction workers. Not really at them because, I know, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-crosley/shortly-after-this-exchange-my-roommate-suggested-we-start-throwing/) [Sloane Crosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-crosley/) > [“...when you’re property-hunting and you’re running out of patience it’s easy to make bad decisions. 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