What does the phrase 'To be free one must be chained' mean?

Answer 1

To Be Free One Must Be Chained

This phrase means that in order to truly be free you must live a life within certain limitations and boundaries. For example- We have rules and limitations regarding driving and traffic-

You must Stop at a Red light, Go at green, let cars pass at a Stop sign, turn on your lights at night, give pedestrians the right of way....etc (the rules are endless). It is because we have driving rules and regulations that you can get in your car and drive to the supermarket , or Florida or even across the entire country (with predictability and safety for the most part)-

If No rules were put in place- And people were completely free to drive how they wanted-

there would be chaos, fear and disorder and most people would be confined (chained) in their homes instead of freely driving the freeway. The same rules apply for personal decisions- When you put limitations on yourself- such as don't eat that donut or turn off the TV and read a book- you now know you are capable of not eating that donut or turning off the TV and reading and book- It is only by actually limiting yourself and seeing that the other option is not only possible but doable that You now have many more choices available -you can choose to eat or not eat the donut, watch TV, read a book, Go to the bars or visit your grandma- It's up to you- And the more you choose to limit or chain yourself and do things that are not all instantaneously gratifying- the more you will appreciate your freedom =0)