Quotes About Autonomy

Men love liberty because it protects them from control and humiliation from others, and thus affords them the possibility of dignity. They loathe liberty because it throws them back on their own abilities and resources, and thus confronts them with the possibility of insignificance.

Some people say they haven't yet found themselves. But the self is not something one finds; it is something one creates.

Suicide is a fundamental human right. This does not mean that it is desirable. It only means that society does not have the moral right to interfere, by force, with a persons decision to commit this act. The result is a far-reaching infantilization and dehumanization of the suicidal person.

She seemed less my wife and more a woman in her own right, more self-reliant and independent. I felt I was looking at her in the round, so to speak, as one views a statue, from all sides, not merely a bas-relief with the figure partially imprisoned in the stone.

It is in this sense that responsibility is liberty; the more decisions that you are forced to make alone, the more you are aware of your freedom to choose.

Perhaps she would learn in time to permit both her daughter and her gods to govern their own affairs.

the more decisions that you are forced to make alone, the more you are aware of your freedom to choose.

They even found themselves able to die if they wanted to.

The masses of people are carried along, obedient to environment; the wills and desires of others stronger than themselves; heredity; suggestion; and other outward causes moving them about like pawns on the Chessboard of Life. But the Masters, rising to the plane above, dominate their moods, characters, qualities, and powers, as well as the environment surrounding them, and become Movers instead of pawns.

First time since I come to Am'rica, I not with husband or Rekha or in restaurant or store or car or apartment. I's all alone and I loves it. First time I feel everything not borrow. What I mean by that? When I with the husband, I seeing everything through his eyes - moon, sun, sky, tree, parking lot, store, everything. If he feeling sun too hot, I feeling upset. If he cursing the cold, I angry with snow. My brains not thinking my own thoughts.

If the First Amendment means anything, it means that a state has no business telling a man, sitting alone in his house, what books he may read or what films he may watch.

You know you're the turtle, right? The one who comes and goes as he pleases while I wait for you?

I like being single," Eva continued quietly. "I don't want anyone to have to really see me.

And I remember that I'm not lonely. I'm alone. When I'm comatose from writing and mothering, when I'm hurting too badly to cook, talk, or smile, I curl up with 'alone' like a security blanket. Alone doesn't care that I don't shave my legs in the winter. Alone never gets disappointed by me." Eva sighed. "It's the best relationship I've ever been in.

No one's coming to save you. You have to do it.

I just want to sleep with a clear conscience and wake up with the ability to look at myself in the mirror. I also want my life to be my own. Even if it's a shitty goddamn life, it's still mine.

I heard a voice in my head. It said: I would rather be alone than ever be my mother. I will leave before I am left.

Believe it or not, I have boundaries.

For what it's worth, I don't go out of my way to be difficult. I just want to sleep with a clear conscience and wake up with the ability to look at myself in the mirror. I also want my life to be my own. Even if it's a shitty goddamn life, it's still mine.

She would not exchange her solitude for anything. Never again to be forced to move to the rhythms of others.

Real men don't use instructions, son. Besides, this is just the manufacturer's opinion on how to put this together.

People don't want to be projects.

Don't you understand? The answer is inside each of you! Don't follow anyone else! Be your own leader! Lead yourselves!

the key to achievement in life is not letting others define your towers.