“We are condemned to be free.”
— Jean Paul Sartre
Simplified Meaning:
We all have the power to make our own choices, and this freedom can be both a gift and a burden. Imagine you are given the keys to a car and told you can go anywhere you want. At first, this sounds exciting because you can explore new places. However, it also means you have to decide where to go, plan your route, and deal with any problems along the way. This responsibility can be overwhelming. In the same way, having the freedom to make our own decisions means we have to live with the consequences of those decisions. For example, if you decide not to study for a test, then you might not do well, and you have to accept that outcome. This freedom can feel like a heavy weight because every choice we make shapes our future. But it also means we have control over our lives. Understanding that we are free helps us realize that we are responsible for our own happiness and success. By accepting this, we can make better choices and think more carefully about what we really want to achieve. It encourages us to be more thoughtful and deliberate in our actions, knowing that our freedom comes with responsibility.