--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man is more disposed to domination than…" description: "\"Man is more disposed to domination than freedom; and a structure of dominion not only gladdens the eye of the master who rears and protects it, but eve..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_domination_man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than_698439.jpg" --- # Man is more disposed to domination than freedom; and a… ![“Man is more disposed to domination than freedom; and a structure of dominion not only gladdens the eye of the master who rears and protects it, but even its servants are uplifted by the thought that they are members of a whole, which rises high above the life and strength of single generations.” quote by Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_domination_man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than_698439.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_domination_man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than_698439.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_domination_man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than_698439.jpg) > “Man is more disposed to domination than freedom; and a structure of dominion not only gladdens the eye of the master who rears and protects it, but even its servants are uplifted by the thought that they are members of a whole, which rises high above the life and strength of single generations.” [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power structures appeal to both leaders and followers, giving a sense of belonging and purpose beyond individual effort. **In simple terms:** Domination gives a shared sense of purpose. Key Takeaway Recognize the allure of collective power. Themes politics society psychology Mood reflective critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - organizational leadership - political movements - community building Key Concepts authority group identity social cohesion Questions to Reflect On - Is the desire for dominance innate? - How does belonging affect personal autonomy? A Different Perspective Such structures can suppress individual freedom. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Domination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/domination/) [Dominion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dominion/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Servant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) ## Related quotes > [I have loved my work, I have loved people and my play, but always I have been uplifted by the thought that what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/i-have-loved-my-work-i-have-loved-people-and-my-play-but-always-i/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [“Freedom without structure is its own slavery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/freedom-without-structure-is-its-own-slavery/) [David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/) > [I thrive on structure. I find my freedom in structure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/i-thrive-on-structure-i-find-my-freedom-in-structure/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [ It may be said of them \[the Hollanders\], as of the Spaniards, that the sun never sets upon their Dominions. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-gage/it-may-be-said-of-them-the-hollanders-as-of-the-spaniards-that-the/) [Thomas Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-gage/) > [Christ by his death destroying the works of the devil, procuring the Spirit for us, hath so killed sin, as to its reign in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/christ-by-his-death-destroying-the-works-of-the-devil-procuring-the/) [John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/) > [God in heaven has dominion Over so many events. He can frustrate what seems inevitable, And bring to pass the thing that you least…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/god-in-heaven-has-dominion-over-so-many-events-he-can-frustrate-what/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [ The thing that was forfeited in the garden was regained. God gave him \[Adam\] dominion over the works of His hand. God made him… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-g-lake/the-thing-that-was-forfeited-in-the-garden-was-regained-god-gave-him/) [John G. Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-g-lake/) > [“Together my wife and I are building the kingdom of God, exercising dominion, beating back the weeds of stinky dippers, tending the garden God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-jr-2/together-my-wife-and-i-are-building-the-kingdom-of-god-exercising/) [R.C. Sproul Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-jr-2/) > [“The greatest dangers you can get into are the ones you see coming. The ones that just happen are just roads waiting to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-manful/the-greatest-dangers-you-can-get-into-are-the-ones-you-see-coming-the/) [Melody Manful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-manful/) > [Only he who has measured the dominion of force, and knows how not to respect it, is capable of love andjustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/only-he-who-has-measured-the-dominion-of-force-and-knows-how-not-to/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [And the Truth turns out to be nothing less than the amazing but undeniable fact that the whole outer world -whether it be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmet-fox/and-the-truth-turns-out-to-be-nothing-less-than-the-amazing-but/) [Emmet Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmet-fox/) > [Poverty comes from Hell. Prosperity comes from Heaven. Adam had complete dominion over the earth and all it contains. A. Adam could fly like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benny-hinn/poverty-comes-from-hell-prosperity-comes-from-heaven-adam-had/) [Benny Hinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benny-hinn/) > [In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lancaster-spalding/in-giving-us-dominion-over-the-animal-kingdom-god-has-signified-his/) [John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lancaster-spalding/) > [Dominion is a spy novel, a love story, and also I hope gives some sense of the difficulties faced by dissidents under any totalitarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-sansom/dominion-is-a-spy-novel-a-love-story-and-also-i-hope-gives-some-sense/) [C.J. Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-sansom/) > [I would rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent than in the extent of my powers and dominion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/i-would-rather-excel-others-in-the-knowledge-of-what-is-excellent/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) ## More by Wilhelm von Humboldt > [The things of the world are ever rising and falling, and in perpetual change; and this change must be according to the will of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/the-things-of-the-world-are-ever-rising-and-falling-and-in-perpetual/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Whatever does not spring from a man's free choice, or is only the result of instruction and guidance, does not enter into his very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/whatever-does-not-spring-from-a-man-s-free-choice-or-is-only-the/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [However great an evil immorality may be, we must not forget that it is not without its beneficial consequences. It is only through extremes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/however-great-an-evil-immorality-may-be-we-must-not-forget-that-it-is/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [To behold, is not necessary to observe, and the power of comparing and combining is only to be obtained by education. It is much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/to-behold-is-not-necessary-to-observe-and-the-power-of-comparing-and/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [The mere reality of life would be inconceivably poor without the charm of fancy, which brings in its bosom, no doubt, as many vain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/the-mere-reality-of-life-would-be-inconceivably-poor-without-the/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [We cannot assume the injustice of any actions which only create offense, and especially as regards religion and morals. He who utters or does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/we-cannot-assume-the-injustice-of-any-actions-which-only-create/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [If it were not somewhat fanciful to suppose that every human excellence is presented, as it were, in one kind of being, we might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/if-it-were-not-somewhat-fanciful-to-suppose-that-every-human/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [If we reason that we want happiness for others, not for ourselves, then we ought justly to be suspected of failing to recognize human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/if-we-reason-that-we-want-happiness-for-others-not-for-ourselves-then/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Besides the pleasure derived from acquired knowledge, there lurks in the mind of man, and tinged with a shade of sadness, an unsatisfactory longing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/besides-the-pleasure-derived-from-acquired-knowledge-there-lurks-in/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Even sleep is characteristic. How beautiful are children in their lovely innocence! how angel-like their blooming features! and how painful and anxious is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/even-sleep-is-characteristic-how-beautiful-are-children-in-their/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [To inquire and to create; these are the grand centres around which all human pursuits revolve, or at least to these objects do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/to-inquire-and-to-create-these-are-the-grand-centres-around-which-all/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Women are in this respect more fortunate than men, that most of their employments are of such a nature that they can at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/women-are-in-this-respect-more-fortunate-than-men-that-most-of-their/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [In every remodelling of the present, the existing condition of things must be supplanted by a new one. Now every variety of circumstances in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/in-every-remodelling-of-the-present-the-existing-condition-of-things/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [“For even if we know very little that is certain about spirit or soul, the true nature of the body, of materiality, is totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/for-even-if-we-know-very-little-that-is-certain-about-spirit-or-soul/) [Wilhelm Von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Prayer is intended to increase the devotion of the individual, but if the individual himself prays he requires no formula; he pours himself forth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/prayer-is-intended-to-increase-the-devotion-of-the-individual-but-if/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) [Explore all 94 Wilhelm von Humboldt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) ## More Domination quotes > [The dark ages still reign over all humanity, and the depth and persistence of this domination are only now becoming clear. This Dark Ages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/the-dark-ages-still-reign-over-all-humanity-and-the-depth-and/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [Whoever says State necessarily says domination, and, consequently, slavery; a State without slavery, open or concealed, is inconceivable: that is why we are enemies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bakunin/whoever-says-state-necessarily-says-domination-and-consequently/) [Mikhail Bakunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bakunin/) > [“World domination is just my side gig.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanjlisa-marie/world-domination-is-just-my-side-gig/) Tanjlisa Marie > [Suppose Vietnam could separate itself from the American dominated global system and carry out a successful social and economic development. Then that is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/suppose-vietnam-could-separate-itself-from-the-american-dominated/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Southerners, whose ancestors a hundred years ago knew the horrors of a homeland devastated by war, are particularly determined that war shall never come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/southerners-whose-ancestors-a-hundred-years-ago-knew-the-horrors-of-a/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I refer to the misunderstanding of Soviet Russia as an aggressive power, militaristically and ideologically bent upon world domination 'seeing', to quote a recent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enoch-powell/i-refer-to-the-misunderstanding-of-soviet-russia-as-an-aggressive/) [Enoch Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enoch-powell/) > [“As she observed, “the first essential step on the road to total domination is to kill the juridical person in man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-snyder/as-she-observed-the-first-essential-step-on-the-road-to-total/) [Timothy Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-snyder/) > [The day came. The wrath descended. Sin, guilt, and retribution? The manic psychoses of those entities we referred to as states, institutions, systems -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/the-day-came-the-wrath-descended-sin-guilt-and-retribution-the-manic/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“…the excitement of doing something for the first time had passed. I laid there in the back seat looking at the moon. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hinton/the-excitement-of-doing-something-for-the-first-time-had-passed-i/) Karen Hinton > [“People are always busy in trying to manipulate and dominate others!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-aziz/people-are-always-busy-in-trying-to-manipulate-and-dominate-others/) [Salman Aziz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-aziz/) > [“World domination by 2020!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-a-garcia/world-domination-by-2020/) S.A. Garcia > [The New World Order is a more palatable name for the Anglo American world empire. It's the planetary domination of London, New York, Washington…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-jones/the-new-world-order-is-a-more-palatable-name-for-the-anglo-american/) [Alex Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-jones/) > [“Manipulation. Domination. Control. These are the three watchwords of violent serial offenders.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-douglas/manipulation-domination-control-these-are-the-three-watchwords-of/) [John E. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-douglas/) > [The 1898 annexation of the Hawaiian Islands merely formally recognized what had long been American domination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-macmillan/the-1898-annexation-of-the-hawaiian-islands-merely-formally/) [Margaret MacMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-macmillan/) > [Each time we arrive at a new level in extricating ourselves from economic, social, spiritual domination, we have a moment when we dance in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/each-time-we-arrive-at-a-new-level-in-extricating-ourselves-from/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) [Browse all 506 Domination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/domination/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Man is more disposed to domination than freedom; and a structure of dominion not only gladdens the eye of the master who rears and protects it, but even its servants are uplifted by the thought that they are members of a whole, which rises high above the life and strength of single generations.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Wilhelm von Humboldt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than-freedom-and-a-structure-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Domination" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than-freedom-and-a-structure-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_domination_man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than_698439.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_domination_man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than_698439.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/519/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_domination_man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than_698439.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Man is more disposed to domination than freedom; and a structure of dominion not only gladdens the eye of…” — Wilhelm von Humboldt", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Wilhelm von Humboldt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Man is more disposed to domination...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than-freedom-and-a-structure-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/man-is-more-disposed-to-domination-than-freedom-and-a-structure-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```