Absolutely Quote by Rene Descartes
“Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophy: Discourse on the Method, René Descartes, 1637
Only our thoughts are truly under our control; external circumstances lie beyond our power.
In simple terms: Thoughts are within our control.
Key Takeaway
Focus on mastering your mind.
Themes
mind
control
philosophy
autonomy
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
self‑help
philosophical
When to use this quote
- meditation practice
- cognitive therapy
- decision making
- stress management
Key Concepts
cognitive self‑regulation
existential freedom
psychology of agency
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you strengthen mental control amid external chaos?
- What limits exist on personal autonomy?
A Different Perspective
Neglects influence of external factors on mental states.
![“[About Pierre de Fermat] It cannot be denied that he has had many exceptional ideas, and that he is a highly intelligent man. For my part, however, I have always been taught to take a broad overview of things, in order to be able to deduce from them general rules, which might be applicable…” quote by Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/588/ren-descartes-1376_able_about-pierre-de-fermat-it-cannot-be-deni_89929.jpg)
![“And what more am I? I look for aid to the imagination. [But how mistakenly!] I am not that assemblage of limbs we call the human body; I am not a subtle penetrating air distributed throughout all these members; I am not a wind, a fire, a vapor, a breath or anything at all that I can image. I am…” quote by René Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/207/ren-descartes-1376_human-body_and-what-more-am-i-i-look-for-aid-to-the_115493.jpg)
