Are you ready for something insightful and remarkably profound? Steve pressfield.  

Ever wonder why many people appear so happy to be enslaved, to one degree or another?

Ever wonder why some folks seem to search out mundane jobs and then enjoy complaining about what a dead end they are?

Author Steven Pressfield, the creative genius behind the book (and later movie) entitled, The Legend of Baggar Vance, as well as the beautifully written historical fiction book entitled The Gates of Fire (about the famed battle of Thermopylae), among others, offers one of the keenest insights into human nature I've ever encountered. Here, in just a short paragraph, Pressfield seems to have pointed his eloquence toward the source of the lack of truly creative, free expression in human society:

"It may be that the human race is not ready for freedom. The air of liberty may be too rarified for us to breathe. Certainly I wouldn't be writing this book, on this subject, if living with freedom were easy. The paradox seems to be, as Socrates demonstrated long ago, that the truly free individual is free only to the extent of his own self-mastery. While those who will not govern themselves are condemned to find masters to govern over them." *

Umm hmm. Poignant stuff.

I suggest we all read that again.

And again. 

* The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, Steven Pressfield

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9 responses to “Freedom Only to the Degree of Self Mastery”

  1. Phyllis Hoff Avatar
    Phyllis Hoff

    Wow!
    That statement is an eye opener,and definitely something to ponder.

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  2. Ian Avatar
    Ian

    I think i will cut and paste and then print that for the work desk.

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  3. Marty Weasner Avatar
    Marty Weasner

    This is part of the TEAM difference, if a man/woman can not govern oneself need not worry about governing in his/her home, in his/her town, his/her county, his/her state, his/her Country…fore if you cheat in the dark, you will be found out under the lights. To whom much is given-much is required… We are all given life and an example in Jesus Christ to live by as it is written Do as I do, and say as I say. Answer to God with everything you have master the life that was set out before us as an example of God living among us. To be truely free is to not be in the bondage of sin… therefore find repentance, refuge in God.

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  4. Peter Artibello Avatar
    Peter Artibello

    What a wake-up call for everyone! Myself included.
    If only the Political Leaders across North America lived this quote!!!
    Thanks Chris.

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  5. Dave Nelson Avatar
    Dave Nelson

    Hi Chris,
    1 Samuel 8- the Israelites demanded a king to rule them. Has our “president” turned into a king?

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  6. John Dickinson Avatar

    Chris,
    Amazing that either we will be a master over ourselves or someone else will!
    Thanks,
    John

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  7. David Nelson Avatar
    David Nelson

    Hi Chris,
    Everyone maybe with your concurrance should take a gander at “As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen, written in 1903. “A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and comences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life”, or ” The circumstances which a man encounters with suffering are the result of his own mental inharmony”.
    We think we can keep our thoughts secret but they crystalize into habit which solidifies into circumstance and soon the whole world knows what ones thoughts must be.
    There is some amazing reading material for our minds to absorb.
    Thanks for helping me to keep thinking and to press towards the mark.
    Dave Nelson

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  8. Gabriel Castellanos Avatar
    Gabriel Castellanos

    It may seem that we need “Give me Self-Mastery or give me Death” bacause we yearn for Freedom yet we are not compelled to Self Mastery.

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  9. Jim Gemuend Avatar
    Jim Gemuend

    The enemy of Great is Good fueled by this lack of mastery. I struggle daily to keep a dream bigger than my fear, obstacles and comfort. As you have mentioned many times Chris, if you live in this country you are already on third base. Self mastery will bring us home!!

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