--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a very great thing to be able to…" description: "\"It is a very great thing to be able to think as you like; but, after all, an important question remains: what you think.\" — Matthew Arnold" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/matthew-arnold-1235_able_it-is-a-very-great-thing-to-be-able-to-t_617563.jpg" --- # It is a very great thing to be able to think as you like… ![“It is a very great thing to be able to think as you like; but, after all, an important question remains: what you think.” quote by Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/matthew-arnold-1235_able_it-is-a-very-great-thing-to-be-able-to-t_617563.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/matthew-arnold-1235_able_it-is-a-very-great-thing-to-be-able-to-t_617563.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/matthew-arnold-1235_able_it-is-a-very-great-thing-to-be-able-to-t_617563.jpg) > “It is a very great thing to be able to think as you like; but, after all, an important question remains: what you think.” [Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-arnold/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The real power lies not in thinking freely but in choosing what to think. **In simple terms:** Choosing thoughts matters more than freedom to think. Key Takeaway Control your thoughts, not just your freedom. Themes thought control philosophy Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - education - mental health - decision making Key Concepts self‑determination mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What thoughts shape your actions? - How can you guide your thinking? A Different Perspective Free thought without direction can lead to chaos. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Great things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-things/) [Important questions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-questions/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“We can fix that. We can fix anything. 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Having in mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-arnold/we-must-hold-fast-to-the-austere-but-true-doctrine-as-to-what-really/) [Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-arnold/) > [“Culture is the endeavour to know the best and to make this knowledge prevail for the good of all humankind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-arnold/culture-is-the-endeavour-to-know-the-best-and-to-make-this-knowledge/) [Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-arnold/) > [The difference between genuine poetry and the poetry of Dryden, Pope, and all their school, is briefly this: their poetry is conceived and composed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-arnold/the-difference-between-genuine-poetry-and-the-poetry-of-dryden-pope/) [Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-arnold/) > [Culture, the acquainting ourselves with the best that has been known and said in the world, and thus with the history of the human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-arnold/culture-the-acquainting-ourselves-with-the-best-that-has-been-known/) [Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-arnold/) > [Strew on her roses, roses, And never a spray of yew! 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