Addiction Quote by Matthew Fox
““We are not consumers. For most of humanity’s existence, we were makers, not consumers: we made our clothes, shelter, and education, we hunted and gathered our food. We are not addicts. “I propose that most addictions come from our surrendering our real powers, that is, our powers of creativity.” We are not passive couch potatoes either. “It is not the essence of humans to be passive. We are players. We are actors on many stages…. We are curious, we are yearning to wonder, we are longing to be amazed… to be excited, to be enthusiastic, to be expressive. In short to be alive.” We are also not cogs in a machine. To be so would be to give up our personal freedoms so as to not upset The Machine, whatever that machine is. Creativity keeps us creating the life we wish to live and advancing humanity’s purpose as well.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public talk on creativity and human nature, 2015
Humans are inherently creative, active participants, not passive consumers or addicts; creativity fuels purpose and freedom.
In simple terms: People are makers, not just users; creativity is essential.
Key Takeaway
Embrace creativity to live fully.
Themes
creativity
agency
human nature
freedom
Mood
inspirational
reflective
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- education
- artistic projects
- community building
Key Concepts
self‑actualization
purpose
play
expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you nurture your creative power daily?
- What societal structures limit your agency?
A Different Perspective
Creativity alone cannot solve systemic oppression.
![“[T]he present age, which prefers the sign to the thing signified, the copy to the original[.]” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/314/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_agnosticism_t-he-present-age-which-prefers-the-sign_596713.jpg)
