--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What man wants is simply independent…" description: "\"What man wants is simply independent choice, whatever that independence may cost and wherever it may lead.\" — Fyodor Dostoevsky" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_choice_what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-cho_2442057.jpg" --- # What man wants is simply independent choice, whatever that… ![“What man wants is simply independent choice, whatever that independence may cost and wherever it may lead.” quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_choice_what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-cho_2442057.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_choice_what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-cho_2442057.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_choice_what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-cho_2442057.jpg) > “What man wants is simply independent choice, whatever that independence may cost and wherever it may lead.” [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote asserts that true freedom is the ability to choose independently, regardless of the costs or outcomes. **In simple terms:** True freedom is independent choice despite costs. Key Takeaway Embrace responsibility that comes with free choice. Themes freedom choice responsibility Mood philosophical serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal decisions - political systems - moral dilemmas - life planning Key Concepts philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities accompany your choices? - How do you weigh costs versus freedom? A Different Perspective Independent choice can lead to unintended harmful consequences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choice Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice-independence-496090/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Cost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Independent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independent/) [Independent Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independent-choice-496089/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Simply Independent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simply-independent-496091/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [“One's own free unfettered choice, one's own caprice, however wild it may be, one's own fancy worked up at times to frenzy -- is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/one-s-own-free-unfettered-choice-one-s-own-caprice-however-wild-it-2/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [But man is so addicted to systems and to abstract conclusions that he is prepared deliberately to distort the truth, to close his eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/but-man-is-so-addicted-to-systems-and-to-abstract-conclusions-that-he/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [The absolute bedrock of our independence is having control over our own bodies. You cannot be independent if the government or someone else says…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/the-absolute-bedrock-of-our-independence-is-having-control-over-our/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [I thank God that I have lived to see my country independent and free. She may long enjoy her independence and freedom if she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/i-thank-god-that-i-have-lived-to-see-my-country-independent-and-free/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [Except when he has regressive tendencies, the child's nature is to aim directly and energetically at functional independence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/except-when-he-has-regressive-tendencies-the-child-s-nature-is-to-aim/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [I don't mean to say that I'm about to state my credo here on this page, but merely to affirm, sincerely for the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/i-don-t-mean-to-say-that-i-m-about-to-state-my-credo-here-on-this/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [In England the judges should have independence to protect the people against the crown. Here the judges should not be independent of the people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-jackson/in-england-the-judges-should-have-independence-to-protect-the-people/) [Andrew Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-jackson/) > [A judiciary independent of a king or executive alone, is a good thing; but independence of the will of the nation is a solecism,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-judiciary-independent-of-a-king-or-executive-alone-is-a-good-thing/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [No one can be free unless he is independent. Therefore, the first active manifestations of the child's individual liberty must be so guided that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/no-one-can-be-free-unless-he-is-independent-therefore-the-first/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [I do need my independence. I have to have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-vorderman/i-do-need-my-independence-i-have-to-have-that/) [Carol Vorderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-vorderman/) > [In 1995, Russia virtually gave Chechnya de facto statehood and independence even though, de jure, it didn't recognize Chechnya as an independent state. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/in-1995-russia-virtually-gave-chechnya-de-facto-statehood-and/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [You need to learn independence. You have to be independent - it builds character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/you-need-to-learn-independence-you-have-to-be-independent-it-builds/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [I think the Tata Group's greatest contribution to the growth of the Indian economy and Indian industry probably happened in the pre-independence era. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ratan-tata/i-think-the-tata-group-s-greatest-contribution-to-the-growth-of-the/) [Ratan Tata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ratan-tata/) > [Kids are super-independent. This is the time when you don't need your parents for a story anymore. You have a great degree of agency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-willems/kids-are-super-independent-this-is-the-time-when-you-don-t-need-your/) [Mo Willems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-willems/) > [We must learn to be self-reliant and independent of schools, courts, protection and patronage of a Government we seek to end, if it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/we-must-learn-to-be-self-reliant-and-independent-of-schools-courts/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) ## More by Fyodor Dostoevsky > [Believe to the end, even if all men went astray and you were left the only one faithful; bring your offering even then and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/believe-to-the-end-even-if-all-men-went-astray-and-you-were-left-the/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [... you are a man still young, so to say, in your first youth and so put intellect above everything ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/you-are-a-man-still-young-so-to-say-in-your-first-youth-and-so-put/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [“There is only one salvation for you: take yourself up, and make yourself responsible for all the sins of men. For indeed it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/there-is-only-one-salvation-for-you-take-yourself-up-and-make/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [“It is true I am a complete stranger to these people, but they are not strangers to me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/it-is-true-i-am-a-complete-stranger-to-these-people-but-they-are-not/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [Everything seems stupid when it fails.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/everything-seems-stupid-when-it-fails/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [Love to throw yourself on the earth and kiss it. Kiss the earth and love it with an unceasing, consuming love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/love-to-throw-yourself-on-the-earth-and-kiss-it-kiss-the-earth-and/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [They have this social justification for every nasty thing they do!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/they-have-this-social-justification-for-every-nasty-thing-they-do/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [Be the sun and all will see you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/be-the-sun-and-all-will-see-you/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [If you are penitent, you love. And if you love you are of God. All things are atoned for, all things are saved by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/if-you-are-penitent-you-love-and-if-you-love-you-are-of-god-all/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [“To kill for murder is a punishment incomparably worse than the crime itself. Murder by legal sentence is immeasurably more terrible than murder by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/to-kill-for-murder-is-a-punishment-incomparably-worse-than-the-crime/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [“You magnify your failure to a crime, Vasya.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/you-magnify-your-failure-to-a-crime-vasya/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [The death of a child is the greatest reason to doubt the existence of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/the-death-of-a-child-is-the-greatest-reason-to-doubt-the-existence-of/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [In a way there's only a fine shade of difference between the healthy and the deranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/in-a-way-there-s-only-a-fine-shade-of-difference-between-the-healthy/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [“Now answer me, sincerely, honestly, who lives past forty? I'll tell you who does: fools and scoundrels.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/now-answer-me-sincerely-honestly-who-lives-past-forty-i-ll-tell-you/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [“There are crimes that are truly uncomely. With crimes, whatever they may be, the more blood, the more horror there is, the more imposing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/there-are-crimes-that-are-truly-uncomely-with-crimes-whatever-they/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) [Explore all 642 Fyodor Dostoevsky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) ## More Choice quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [“That’s all! Now either leave us alone or join us as a father rather than a receiver of sacrifices. You have the choice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/that-s-all-now-either-leave-us-alone-or-join-us-as-a-father-rather/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [“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/) > [“Exactly. So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/exactly-so-what-can-t-you-take-decide-which-of-the-two-options-is/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [“too—I realized that my only hope was to give up the life that had been, in order to make room for the life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/too-i-realized-that-my-only-hope-was-to-give-up-the-life-that-had/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) [Pancho Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pancho-barnes/) > [You dont choose your life; it chooses you. Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [There has always been a feeling with people that they love my singing but not always the choice of material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/there-has-always-been-a-feeling-with-people-that-they-love-my-singing/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I have too many options when it comes to guitars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/i-have-too-many-options-when-it-comes-to-guitars/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [“Amazing how a small choice can change your life forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-c-dockens/amazing-how-a-small-choice-can-change-your-life-forever/) [Randy C. Dockens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-c-dockens/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Since I don't outline my books very much, I feel like sometimes I don't have a choice in what the characters do; they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-todd/since-i-don-t-outline-my-books-very-much-i-feel-like-sometimes-i-don/) [Anna Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-todd/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) [Browse all 8,092 Choice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What man wants is simply independent choice, whatever that independence may cost and wherever it may lead.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Fyodor Dostoevsky" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-choice-whatever-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Choice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-choice-whatever-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_choice_what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-cho_2442057.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_choice_what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-cho_2442057.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a8/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_choice_what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-cho_2442057.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What man wants is simply independent choice, whatever that independence may cost and wherever it may lead.” — Fyodor Dostoevsky", "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": "Fyodor Dostoevsky", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What man wants is simply independent...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-choice-whatever-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/what-man-wants-is-simply-independent-choice-whatever-that/#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 } } ] } ```