Picking and choosing Quote by Sōseki Natsume
““With a palate as unrefined as mine I can’t taste any difference between this French food and what we had at that sleazy bar I got into trouble for inviting you to. To someone like me, they taste equally good. I know you disdain me for that. But the truth is, I take pride in that very fact, and I disdain you for disdaining me. I wonder if you take my point. Think about it in this regard: Which of us is constrained and which of us is free? Which is happy and which feels his hands are tied? Which is tranquil and which one wavers? As I see it, you’re always unsteady on your legs. You can’t find your courage. You’ll go to any length to avoid what displeases you, and you gallop after whatever you want. And why is that? There is no why; it’s because you’re free to. You enjoy the luxury of picking and choosing because you have the latitude.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Kokoro by Sōseki Natsume, 1914
The narrator claims equal taste for refined and crude food, using it to argue that freedom lies in embracing all experiences, while the other is constrained by taste.
In simple terms: Freedom is embracing all, not judging.
Key Takeaway
Embrace all experiences for true freedom.
Themes
freedom
identity
taste
class
conformity
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
literary
dialogue
When to use this quote
- dining experiences
- social gatherings
- personal authenticity
Key Concepts
existentialism
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you equate taste with freedom?
- Can true freedom exist without preference?
A Different Perspective
The argument assumes taste equals freedom, ignoring cultural context.
![“Have faith to keep all the commandments of God, knowing that they are given to bless His children and bring them joy. [You] will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice…” quote by Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/59e/russell-m-nelson-1457_approach_have-faith-to-keep-all-the-commandments_741863.jpg)
![“I think that my IQ level grew as a player. I think that I [run] the game a little bit better. I'm waiting for the game to come to me, and I'm picking and choosing my spots instead of just going out there and just doing whatever because I don't have to do that with this team?” quote by Derrick Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a85/derrick-rose-6897_bits_i-think-that-my-iq-level-grew-as-a-playe_1107333.jpg)