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To know how to free oneself is nothing; the arduous thing is to know what to do with one's freedom.

— André Gide The Immoralist (1902)

Savoir se libérer n'est rien; l'ardu, c'est savoir être libre.

Original text (French)

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Freedom

More quotes by André Gide

There are many things that seem impossible only so long as one does not attempt them.

Si le grain ne meurt [If It Die (1924)

The sole art that suits me is that which, rising from unrest, tends toward serenity.

There is no feeling so simple that it is not immediately complicated and distorted by introspection.

Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)

Generally among intelligent people are found nothing but paralytics and among men of action nothing but fools.

Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)

Most often people seek in life occasions for persisting in their opinions rather than for educating themselves.

Pretexts: Reflections on Literature and Morality (1964)

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There is no governor anywhere; you are all absolutely free. There is no restraint that cannot be escaped.

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: André Gide (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.