Freedom

I have on my table a guitar string. It is free to move in any direction I like. If I twist one end, it reacts and responds. It is free. 

But it is not free to sing. So I take it and fix it into my guitar. I tie it down and I bind it. And only when it is bound like this, is it free for the first time to sing. 

We also tie plants like tomatoes and pepper vines to keep them off the ground, and in the sunlight and air. This tying them makes them free to grow. 

Someone once referred to such a situation as a “liberty bond” — something with which to tie up your freedom. -  Rabindranath Tagore 

Unbridled freedom tends to be counter productive. Absolute freedom outright becomes even harmful. My freedom should necessarily end where your nose begins. Freedom is best in its elements when it is reasonably restrained and rationally made use of.

Indian Thoughts Archives