--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self is the only prison that can ever…" description: "\"Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul. ~Henry Van Dyke\" — Henry Van Dyke" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6d/henry-van-dyke-2453_crime_self-is-the-only-prison-that-can-ever-bi_403978.png" --- # Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul… ![“Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul. ~Henry Van Dyke” quote by Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6d/henry-van-dyke-2453_crime_self-is-the-only-prison-that-can-ever-bi_403978.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6d/henry-van-dyke-2453_crime_self-is-the-only-prison-that-can-ever-bi_403978.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6d/henry-van-dyke-2453_crime_self-is-the-only-prison-that-can-ever-bi_403978.png) > “Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul. ~Henry Van Dyke” [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The mind can imprison itself, trapping the soul in its own limiting beliefs. **In simple terms:** The mind can trap the soul. Key Takeaway Free yourself from mental constraints. Themes freedom self‑awareness mental health Mood introspective motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - therapy - meditation - creative work - decision making Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What thoughts keep you confined? - How can you break mental habits? A Different Perspective Self‑imprisonment can be reinforced by external pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) ## Related quotes > [Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/self-is-the-only-prison-that-can-ever-bind-the-soul/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [“Self is the only prison which can contain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/self-is-the-only-prison-which-can-contain/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [I know that the creator will go, but his work survives. 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Yes, I know it well; I've heard its prayers and creeds, And seen men put them all to shame with poor, half-hearted deeds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/religion-yes-i-know-it-well-i-ve-heard-its-prayers-and-creeds-and/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [It is better to desire the things we have than to have the things we desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-better-to-desire-the-things-we-have-than-to-have-the-things-we/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Jazz: Music invented for the torture of imbeciles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/jazz-music-invented-for-the-torture-of-imbeciles/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Lord, when my spirit shall return to thee, At the foot of a friendly tree let my body be buried, That this dust may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/lord-when-my-spirit-shall-return-to-thee-at-the-foot-of-a-friendly/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/gratitude-is-the-inward-feeling-of-kindness-received-thankfulness-is/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [In warlike pomp, with banners flowing, The regiments of autumn stood: I saw their gold and scarlet glowing From every hillside, every wood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/in-warlike-pomp-with-banners-flowing-the-regiments-of-autumn-stood-i/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/there-is-a-better-thing-than-the-observance-of-christmas-day-and-that/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) [Explore all 165 Henry Van Dyke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) ## More Crime quotes > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [“Crime and punishment can be summed up in two classifications: there are bad people and there are people who get into bad situations. 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