--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Software is like sex. It's only good when…" description: "\"Software is like sex. It's only good when it's for free.\" — Linus Torvalds" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fda/linus-torvalds-1512_free_software-is-like-sex-it-s-only-good-when_293303.jpg" --- # Software is like sex. It's only good when it's for free. ![“Software is like sex. It's only good when it's for free.” quote by Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fda/linus-torvalds-1512_free_software-is-like-sex-it-s-only-good-when_293303.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fda/linus-torvalds-1512_free_software-is-like-sex-it-s-only-good-when_293303.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fda/linus-torvalds-1512_free_software-is-like-sex-it-s-only-good-when_293303.jpg) > “Software is like sex. It's only good when it's for free.” [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Software should be freely accessible to be truly valuable, likening it to sex. **In simple terms:** Free software is best. Key Takeaway Support openness. Themes open source freedom value Mood critical analytical Type provocative philosophical When to use this quote - startup development - open‑source projects - education Key Concepts software economics community collaboration Questions to Reflect On - Why is openness important? - When should software be paid? A Different Perspective Not all software can be free. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free/) [Good Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-free-925885/) [Like Sex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-sex/) [Sex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sex/) [Software](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/software/) [Software Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/software-like-1977717/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [Software is like sex: It's better when it's free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/software-is-like-sex-it-s-better-when-it-s-free/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [“Software is like sex: it's better when it's free.” -Linus Torvalds”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-council/software-is-like-sex-it-s-better-when-it-s-free-linus-torvalds/) [Aaron Council](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-council/) > [Good software, like wine, takes time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-spolsky/good-software-like-wine-takes-time/) [Joel Spolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-spolsky/) > [Software is like gardening - one day I'll go behind the shed and clean up. But if nobody ever goes there, does it matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krieger/software-is-like-gardening-one-day-i-ll-go-behind-the-shed-and-clean/) [Mike Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krieger/) > [Is it possible that software is not like anything else, that it is meant to be discarded: that the whole point is to always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-perlis/is-it-possible-that-software-is-not-like-anything-else-that-it-is/) [Alan Perlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-perlis/) > [I charge Girls money when I hurl compliments at them because If You Are Good At Something Never Do It for Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blossom/i-charge-girls-money-when-i-hurl-compliments-at-them-because-if-you/) [Blossom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blossom/) > [There aren't many who can take good free-kicks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-carlos/there-aren-t-many-who-can-take-good-free-kicks/) [Roberto Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-carlos/) > [“If everybody were compelled to have the proper kind of education, we'd have a better world. If we force people to do good, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/if-everybody-were-compelled-to-have-the-proper-kind-of-education-we-d/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [It is not good to be too free. It is not good to have everything one wants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/it-is-not-good-to-be-too-free-it-is-not-good-to-have-everything-one/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [No man is so good as to be free from all evil, nor so bad as to be worth nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/no-man-is-so-good-as-to-be-free-from-all-evil-nor-so-bad-as-to-be/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [If your good at something never do it for free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelbyrain39-team-swag/if-your-good-at-something-never-do-it-for-free/) [Shelbyrain39 Team Swag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelbyrain39-team-swag/) > [If you are good at something, never do it for free :D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-good-at-something-never-do-it-for-free-d/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If youre good at something, never do it for free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dark-knight-s-joker/if-youre-good-at-something-never-do-it-for-free/) [Dark Knight's JOKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dark-knight-s-joker/) > [“I like to use my influence for good, rather than evil. And in this case, the good is a free meal at a swanky…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-like-to-use-my-influence-for-good-rather-than-evil-and-in-this-case/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [All men are good when free from passion, interest, or error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenio-maria-de-hostos/all-men-are-good-when-free-from-passion-interest-or-error/) [Eugenio Maria de Hostos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenio-maria-de-hostos/) ## More by Linus Torvalds > [Once you realize that documentation should be laughed at, peed upon, put on fire, and just ridiculed in general, then, and only then, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/once-you-realize-that-documentation-should-be-laughed-at-peed-upon/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think, fundamentally, open source does tend to be more stable software. It's the right way to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-fundamentally-open-source-does-tend-to-be-more-stable/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I used to be interested in Windows NT, but the more I see it, the more it looks like traditional Windows with a stabler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-used-to-be-interested-in-windows-nt-but-the-more-i-see-it-the-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think that freely available software can not only keep up with the evolution of commercial software, but often exceed what you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-that-freely-available-software-can-not-only-keep-up-with-the/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Programmers are in the enviable position of not only getting to do what they want to, but because the end result is so important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/programmers-are-in-the-enviable-position-of-not-only-getting-to-do/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The NIH syndrome (Not Invented Here) is a disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-nih-syndrome-not-invented-here-is-a-disease/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The correct form factor for a laptop is obviously 12" and 2 lbs, and I don't understand why everybody gets that wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-correct-form-factor-for-a-laptop-is-obviously-12-and-2-lbs-and-i/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Hmmm, completely a-religious - atheist. I find that people seem to think religion brings morals and appreciation of nature. I actually think it detracts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/hmmm-completely-a-religious-atheist-i-find-that-people-seem-to-think/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [People will realize that software is not a product; you use it to build a product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/people-will-realize-that-software-is-not-a-product-you-use-it-to/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I claim that Mach people (and apparently FreeBSD) are incompetent idiots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-claim-that-mach-people-and-apparently-freebsd-are-incompetent-idiots/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [There are "extremists" in the free software world, but that's one major reason why I don't call what I do "free software" any more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/there-are-extremists-in-the-free-software-world-but-that-s-one-major/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Real quality means making sure that people are proud of the code they write, that they're involved and taking it personally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/real-quality-means-making-sure-that-people-are-proud-of-the-code-they/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I have one very basic rule when it comes to "good ideas". A good idea is not an idea that solves a problem cleanly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-have-one-very-basic-rule-when-it-comes-to-good-ideas-a-good-idea-is/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I've never regretted not making Linux shareware: I really don't like the pay for use binary shareware programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-ve-never-regretted-not-making-linux-shareware-i-really-don-t-like/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Modern PCs are horrible. ACPI is a complete design disaster in every way. But we're kind of stuck with it. If any Intel people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/modern-pcs-are-horrible-acpi-is-a-complete-design-disaster-in-every/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) [Explore all 233 Linus Torvalds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## More Free quotes > [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [If you love anything set it free unless it is a tiger..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kshitij-roshan/if-you-love-anything-set-it-free-unless-it-is-a-tiger/) [Kshitij Roshan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kshitij-roshan/) > [I free slaves because I believe we are all created equal. I just can't think of anything that has a higher purpose than putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-williams/i-free-slaves-because-i-believe-we-are-all-created-equal-i-just-can-t/) [Virginia Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-williams/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [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/) > [Grace is the power of the Holy Spirit coming to us free of charge to enable you to do with ease what you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/grace-is-the-power-of-the-holy-spirit-coming-to-us-free-of-charge-to/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“Why is it," she asked, snuggling closer, "that I so often imagine myself running away and running free?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-balogh/why-is-it-she-asked-snuggling-closer-that-i-so-often-imagine-myself/) [Mary Balogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-balogh/) > [My work is a love for me; I'd do it for free, but don't tell my bosses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-hearn/my-work-is-a-love-for-me-i-d-do-it-for-free-but-don-t-tell-my-bosses/) [Chick Hearn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-hearn/) > [We want to free our citizens from the burden of excessive paper documents in every office. We want paperless transactions. We will set up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/we-want-to-free-our-citizens-from-the-burden-of-excessive-paper/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“She felt wild and unruly, determined and free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/she-felt-wild-and-unruly-determined-and-free/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [Love doesnt stake claims. It is free for the giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-minagar/love-doesnt-stake-claims-it-is-free-for-the-giving/) [Melody Minagar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-minagar/) > [It is true that from a behavioral economics perspective we are fallible, easily confused, not that smart, and often irrational. We are more like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/it-is-true-that-from-a-behavioral-economics-perspective-we-are/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [Music is how I get free. It's a way to shut the rest of the world down and create your own world within it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gift-of-gab/music-is-how-i-get-free-it-s-a-way-to-shut-the-rest-of-the-world-down/) [Gift of Gab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gift-of-gab/) > [The dignity of man is in free choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-frisch/the-dignity-of-man-is-in-free-choice/) [Max Frisch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-frisch/) [Browse all 6,143 Free quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Software is like sex. 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