--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If volition is bound to social…" description: "\"“If volition is bound to social imperatives, as William James believed, and it's therefore easier to go to war than it is to quit smoking, one could sa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/061/roberto-bola-o-725_quit-smoking_if-volition-is-bound-to-social-imperativ_2564953.jpg" --- # If volition is bound to social imperatives, as William… ![“If volition is bound to social imperatives, as William James believed, and it's therefore easier to go to war than it is to quit smoking, one could say that Liz Norton was a woman who found it easier to quit smoking than to go to war.” quote by Roberto Bolaño](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/061/roberto-bola-o-725_quit-smoking_if-volition-is-bound-to-social-imperativ_2564953.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/061/roberto-bola-o-725_quit-smoking_if-volition-is-bound-to-social-imperativ_2564953.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/061/roberto-bola-o-725_quit-smoking_if-volition-is-bound-to-social-imperativ_2564953.jpg) > ““If volition is bound to social imperatives, as William James believed, and it's therefore easier to go to war than it is to quit smoking, one could say that Liz Norton was a woman who found it easier to quit smoking than to go to war.”” [Roberto Bolaño](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-bola-o/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote uses a paradox to illustrate how social imperatives make war seem easier than quitting smoking, highlighting irrational priorities. **In simple terms:** Social pressures can distort what feels easier. Key Takeaway Question societal values that prioritize conflict. Themes war smoking social imperatives irrationality Mood critical thought‑provoking Type essay philosophical When to use this quote - public policy - personal health - ethical debate Key Concepts philosophy psychology politics Questions to Reflect On - Why do we accept war more readily? - How can we reframe harmful habits? 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We are happy because we laugh.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-s-sharma/william-james-said-we-don-t-laugh-because-we-are-happy-we-are-happy/) [Robin S. 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But what color?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-bola-o/the-brief-sound-is-like-a-color-swallowed-by-a-crack-but-what-color/) [Roberto Bolaño](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-bola-o/) > [“All horrors are dulled by routine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-bola-o/all-horrors-are-dulled-by-routine/) [Roberto Bolaño](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-bola-o/) > [“The fourth dimension, he liked to say, encompasses the three dimensions and consequently puts them in their place, that is, it obliterates the dictatorship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-bola-o/the-fourth-dimension-he-liked-to-say-encompasses-the-three-dimensions/) [Roberto Bolaño](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-bola-o/) > [Every book in the world is out there waiting to be read by me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-bola-o/every-book-in-the-world-is-out-there-waiting-to-be-read-by-me/) [Roberto Bolano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-bola-o/) > [“Y después de coger a mi general le gustaba salir al patio a fumarse su cigarro y a pensar en la tristeza poscoito, en…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-bola-o/y-despu-s-de-coger-a-mi-general-le-gustaba-salir-al-patio-a-fumarse/) [Roberto Bolaño](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-bola-o/) > [“I enjoy vegetarian food like I enjoy a kick in the stomach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-bola-o/i-enjoy-vegetarian-food-like-i-enjoy-a-kick-in-the-stomach/) [Roberto Bolano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-bola-o/) [Explore all 303 Roberto Bolaño quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-bola-o/) ## More Quit smoking quotes > [It's easy to quit smoking. 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Every one of them looks real good to me right about now. Every cigarette looks like it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/it-is-hard-to-quit-smoking-every-one-of-them-looks-real-good-to-me/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [I quit smoking well over twenty years ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelley-berman/i-quit-smoking-well-over-twenty-years-ago/) [Shelley Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelley-berman/) > [Addiction is tricky. For example: a man who quit smoking for 11 years spent 15 seconds in an elevator with a man smoking a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/addiction-is-tricky-for-example-a-man-who-quit-smoking-for-11-years/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [Never tell anyone that you're writing a book, going on a diet, exercising, taking a course, or quitting smoking. 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He smokes three packs of cigarettes a day. He won't quit, either. 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