Born free Quote by Leo Tolstoy
““at one time, a freethinker was a man who had been brought up in the conceptions of religion, law and morality, who reached freethought only after conflict and difficulty. But now a new type of born freethinkers has appeared, who grow up without so much as hearing that there used to be laws of morality, or religion, that authorities existed... In the old days, you see, if a man - a Frenchman, for instance- wished to get an education, he would have set to work to study the classics, the theologians, the tragedians, historians and philosophers- and you can realize all the intellectual labour involved. But nowadays he goes straight for the literature of negation, rapidly assimilates the essence of the science of negation, and thinks he's finished.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “On Freethinkers”, 1883
He contrasts historic freethinkers, who emerged after confronting religion and law, with modern ones raised without exposure to those frameworks, leading to superficial negation.
In simple terms: Modern freethinkers may lack deep intellectual foundations.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate thorough study of diverse ideas.
Themes
philosophy
education
culture
Mood
analytical
thought‑provoking
Type
essay
philosophical
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- self‑study
- public discourse
- media consumption
Key Concepts
critical thinking
intellectual history
negation theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure depth in your thinking?
- What role should tradition play in modern education?
A Different Perspective
Superficial negation can hinder true understanding.
![“And so [my brother] Gilbert and I, brought up without a formal religion, remained throughout our lifetimes just what Father was, freethinkers. And, likewise, doubters and dissenters and perhaps Utopians. Father's rule had been 'Question everything, take nothing for granted,' and I never outlived…” quote by George Seldes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6bb/george-seldes-50433_association_and-so-my-brother-gilbert-and-i-brought_2435326.jpg)
