"How absurd men are! They never use the liberties they have, they demand those they do not have. They have freedom of thought, they demand freedom of speech"

Søren Kierkegaard’s observation uncovers a profound paradox in human behavior regarding freedom and its exercise. People often overlook or underutilize significant liberties already within their grasp, directing their desires and agitation toward privileges they lack or perceive as restricted. The reference to freedom of thought versus freedom of speech crystallizes this dynamic: the internal realm of thought is almost universally free; no authority can truly control an individual’s private reflections and imagination. Yet, instead of exploring or cherishing this unassailable freedom, many focus on externalizing their ideas, pressing for the right to express them outwardly, freedom of speech.

At the heart of Kierkegaard’s message lies an implicit critique of human dissatisfaction and restlessness. Rather than valuing and using their internal liberties, individuals frequently come to neglect them, chasing after additional rights as if the ones possessed are insufficient or without value. The freedom of thought requires self-discipline, introspection, and courage, but these are difficult pursuits. It is easier to direct energy outward rather than inward, to seek validation or confrontation in the public domain rather than quietly cultivating one’s inner life.

Moreover, Kierkegaard may be highlighting a deeper existential truth about the nature of freedom itself. External freedoms are always fraught with conflict, challenges, and societal constraints. Internal freedom, meanwhile, is available to each person, requiring only the will to recognize and seize it. The demand for freedom of speech, though important socially and politically, risks becoming hollow if those demanding it have not first exercised true freedom in their thoughts, developing independent opinions, mastering self-questioning, and engaging in honest self-reflection.

Ultimately, Kierkegaard’s words call attention to the value of internal liberty and the folly of neglecting it. He urges a thoughtful examination of how we use our freedoms, suggesting a priority for inner autonomy as the foundation for any meaningful claim to outer liberty.