--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The human being is a self-propelled…" description: "\"The human being is a self-propelled automaton entirely under the control of external influences. Willful and predetermined though they appear, his acti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b5/nikola-tesla-1383_action_the-human-being-is-a-self-propelled-auto_2981105.jpg" --- # The human being is a self-propelled automaton entirely… ![“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.” quote by Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b5/nikola-tesla-1383_action_the-human-being-is-a-self-propelled-auto_2981105.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b5/nikola-tesla-1383_action_the-human-being-is-a-self-propelled-auto_2981105.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b5/nikola-tesla-1383_action_the-human-being-is-a-self-propelled-auto_2981105.jpg) > “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.” [Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-tesla/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Automaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/automaton/) [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [External influences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/external-influences/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-being/) [Human Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-self/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Propelled Automaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propelled-automaton-4636260/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Wave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wave/) [Waves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waves/) ## Related quotes > [Every living being is an engine geared to the wheel-work of the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-tesla/every-living-being-is-an-engine-geared-to-the-wheel-work-of-the/) [Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-tesla/) > [It's extraordinary how self-obsessed human beings are. 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