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About this quote

What does it mean?
Casanova asserts that free agency depends on belief in freedom. Without belief, one is effectively not free regardless of actual capacity.
In plain terms
You are only free if you believe you are free.
What can you take from it?
Belief in freedom is essential to actual freedom.

Where it applies

  • self-empowerment
  • decision making
  • philosophical discussion

Putting it to work

  • cultivate belief in agency
  • challenge self-limiting beliefs
  • take ownership

Questions to consider

  • What limits your freedom?
  • Do you believe you are free?

Another view

External constraints can limit freedom regardless of belief.

More from Giacomo Casanova

  1. Man is free; but not unless he believes he is[.]

    Permalink to quote #23

  2. Man is free, but his freedom ceases when he has no faith in it[.]

    Permalink to quote #25

  3. [Malipiero's advice to Casanova.] If you wish your audience to cry, you must shed tears yourself, but if you wish to make them laugh you must contrive to look …

    Permalink to quote #22

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