--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You shall be held down by the chains of…" description: "\"You shall be held down by the chains of your own judgment.\" — Khalil Gibran" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/khalil-gibran-286_chains_you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of_1711021.jpg" --- # You shall be held down by the chains of your own judgment. ![“You shall be held down by the chains of your own judgment.” quote by Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/khalil-gibran-286_chains_you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of_1711021.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/khalil-gibran-286_chains_you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of_1711021.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/khalil-gibran-286_chains_you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of_1711021.jpg) > “You shall be held down by the chains of your own judgment.” [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The line warns that self‑imposed judgments imprison us, limiting freedom and growth. **In simple terms:** Self‑judgment traps us. Key Takeaway Release self‑criticism. Themes self‑judgment freedom psychology Mood reflective cautionary Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - self‑reflection - coaching Key Concepts cognitive restraint personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What judgments hold you back? - How can you balance self‑critique with compassion? A Different Perspective Self‑judgment can also protect from harmful actions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chains/) [Judgement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgement/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) [Tears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tears/) ## Related quotes > [No people and no part of a people shall be held against its will in a political association that it does not want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/no-people-and-no-part-of-a-people-shall-be-held-against-its-will-in-a/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [Their property held them in chains...chains which shackled their courage and choked their faith and hampered their judgment and throttled their soul...If they stored…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyprian/their-property-held-them-in-chains-chains-which-shackled-their/) [Cyprian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyprian/) > [“The slave is held most securely when he is held by the chains of his own will and of his own fears, and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bunker/the-slave-is-held-most-securely-when-he-is-held-by-the-chains-of-his/) [Michael Bunker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bunker/) > [Harlots shall be made pure by their own tears. But you publicans shall be held down by the chains of your own judgement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/harlots-shall-be-made-pure-by-their-own-tears-but-you-publicans-shall/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [The saint and the sinner are twin brothers...one was born but the moment before the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-saint-and-the-sinner-are-twin-brothers-one-was-born-but-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [What havoc, said I to myself, would these manners make in America! Our governors, our judges, our senators or representatives, and even our ministers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/what-havoc-said-i-to-myself-would-these-manners-make-in-america-our/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Mortal lovers must not try to remain at the first step; for lasting passion is the dream of a harlot and from it we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/mortal-lovers-must-not-try-to-remain-at-the-first-step-for-lasting/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [To hear the Japanese plead for free trade is like hearing the word love on the lips of a harlot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lane-kirkland/to-hear-the-japanese-plead-for-free-trade-is-like-hearing-the-word/) [Lane Kirkland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lane-kirkland/) > [It's obsequious little nicety-nice girls like me who allow assholes to run the world: Miss Harlot O'Harlots, billionaire phony tree huggers, hypocrite drug-snorting, weed-puffing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/it-s-obsequious-little-nicety-nice-girls-like-me-who-allow-assholes/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [The old harlot, German philosophy, has finally turned into a church lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/the-old-harlot-german-philosophy-has-finally-turned-into-a-church-lady/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [Books and harlots have their quarrels in public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/books-and-harlots-have-their-quarrels-in-public/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [All the delights of sense, or heart, or intellect, with which you could once have tempted him, even the delights of virtue itself, now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/all-the-delights-of-sense-or-heart-or-intellect-with-which-you-could/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [It is our wisest and our safest course to stand at the farthest distance from sin; not to go near the house of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/it-is-our-wisest-and-our-safest-course-to-stand-at-the-farthest/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [The worst sinners, according to Jesus, are not the harlots and publicans, but the religious leaders with their insistence on proper dress and grooming,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-nibley/the-worst-sinners-according-to-jesus-are-not-the-harlots-and/) [Hugh Nibley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-nibley/) > [We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/we-hold-upon-this-earth-the-place-of-god-almighty/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) ## More by Khalil Gibran > [Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/your-pain-is-the-breaking-of-the-shell-that-encloses-your/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [If you are poor, shun association with him who measures men with the yardstick of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/if-you-are-poor-shun-association-with-him-who-measures-men-with-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Hate is a dead thing. Who of you would be a tomb?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/hate-is-a-dead-thing-who-of-you-would-be-a-tomb/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [The truly just is he who feels half guilty of your misdeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-truly-just-is-he-who-feels-half-guilty-of-your-misdeeds/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“follow the steps trust them and yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/follow-the-steps-trust-them-and-yourself/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, But rather a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/beauty-is-not-a-need-but-an-ecstasy-it-is-not-a-mouth-thirsting-nor/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [I have never agreed with my other self wholly. The truth of the matter seems to lie between us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/i-have-never-agreed-with-my-other-self-wholly-the-truth-of-the-matter/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/that-which-sings-and-contemplates-in-you-is-still-dwelling-within-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might also pray in the fullness of your joy and in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/you-pray-in-your-distress-and-in-your-need-would-that-you-might-also/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“The veil that clouds your eyes shall be lifted by the hands that wove it, And the clay that fills your ears shall be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-veil-that-clouds-your-eyes-shall-be-lifted-by-the-hands-that-wove/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/work-is-love-made-visible-and-if-you-cannot-work-with-love-but-only/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [joy and sorrow are inseparable. . . together they come and when one sits alone with you . . remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/joy-and-sorrow-are-inseparable-together-they-come-and-when-one-sits/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Like the ocean is your god-self; It remains for ever undefiled. And like the ether it lifts but the winged. Even like the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/like-the-ocean-is-your-god-self-it-remains-for-ever-undefiled-and/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) [Explore all 688 Khalil Gibran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## More Chains quotes > [Unchecked, the new tolerance will sooner or later put many people in chains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/unchecked-the-new-tolerance-will-sooner-or-later-put-many-people-in/) [D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The Chains of conformity click in tiresomely monotonous unison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sweet/the-chains-of-conformity-click-in-tiresomely-monotonous-unison/) [Leonard Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sweet/) > [The dark ages still reign over all humanity, and the depth and persistence of this domination are only now becoming clear. This Dark Ages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/the-dark-ages-still-reign-over-all-humanity-and-the-depth-and/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [I don't have a huge amount of gear, but on the software side, I have a number of plug-in chains that act as abstracted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hopkins/i-don-t-have-a-huge-amount-of-gear-but-on-the-software-side-i-have-a/) [Jon Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hopkins/) > [We don't have a farm-to-table food safety system. I keep saying this. It came as a big surprise to the FDA that tomatoes were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-nestle/we-don-t-have-a-farm-to-table-food-safety-system-i-keep-saying-this/) [Marion Nestle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-nestle/) > [So many times we come to Jesus in worship and ask Him for things that He already IS and has already done... What a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-nockels/so-many-times-we-come-to-jesus-in-worship-and-ask-him-for-things-that/) Christy Nockels > [How can I set free anyone who doesn't have the guts to stand up alone and declare his own freedom? I think it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/how-can-i-set-free-anyone-who-doesn-t-have-the-guts-to-stand-up-alone/) [Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/) > [I'm bigger than you! I'm higher on the food chain - get in my belly!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-myers/i-m-bigger-than-you-i-m-higher-on-the-food-chain-get-in-my-belly/) [Mike Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-myers/) > [The chains will fall off freely, no more worries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dl-watson/the-chains-will-fall-off-freely-no-more-worries/) DL WATSON > [I am ever mindful of the legacy of my grandfather, the founder of this Kingdom, who had said to me that he perceived his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-hussein-i/i-am-ever-mindful-of-the-legacy-of-my-grandfather-the-founder-of-this/) [King Hussein I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-hussein-i/) > [Think about it: we went into slavery pagans; we came out Christians. We went into slavery pieces of property; we came out American citizens.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/think-about-it-we-went-into-slavery-pagans-we-came-out-christians-we/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [To one who is accustomed to thinking a lot, every new thought that he hears or reads about immediately appears as a link in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/to-one-who-is-accustomed-to-thinking-a-lot-every-new-thought-that-he/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Man's ethics must not end with man, but should extend to the universe. He must regain the consciousness of the great Chain of Life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/man-s-ethics-must-not-end-with-man-but-should-extend-to-the-universe/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [To sigh, yet feel no pain; To weep, yet scarce know why; To sport an hour with Beauty's chain, Then throw it idly by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/to-sigh-yet-feel-no-pain-to-weep-yet-scarce-know-why-to-sport-an-hour/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) [Browse all 1,639 Chains quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chains/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You shall be held down by the chains of your own judgment.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Khalil Gibran" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of-your-own-judgment/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chains" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of-your-own-judgment/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/khalil-gibran-286_chains_you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of_1711021.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/khalil-gibran-286_chains_you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of_1711021.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/khalil-gibran-286_chains_you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of_1711021.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You shall be held down by the chains of your own judgment.” — Khalil Gibran", "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": "Khalil Gibran", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You shall be held down by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of-your-own-judgment/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/you-shall-be-held-down-by-the-chains-of-your-own-judgment/#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 } } ] } ```