Action Quote by Nikola Tesla
“The human being is a self-propelled automaton entirely under the control of external influences. Willful and predetermined though they appear, his actions are governed not from within, but from without. He is like a float tossed about by the waves of a turbulent sea.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Problem of Free Will, 1919
Humans are driven by external forces, making free will an illusion; actions are like a float tossed by waves.
In simple terms: Human behavior is largely controlled by outside influences.
Key Takeaway
Consider external factors shaping decisions.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
determinism
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- marketing
- personal decision making
- social conditioning
Key Concepts
free will
external influence
Questions to Reflect On
- Are we ever truly autonomous?
- How can we balance external and internal influences?
A Different Perspective
Ignores internal agency and personal responsibility.
![“If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search. ... [J]ust a little theory and calculation…” quote by Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a00/nikola-tesla-1383_bees_if-he-thomas-edison-had-a-needle-to-find_97217.jpg)
