"Physical nature lies at our feet shackled with a hundred chains. What of the control of human nature? Do not point to the triumphs of psychiatry, social services or the war against crime. Domination of human nature can only mean the domination of every man by himself"
- Johan Huizinga
About this Quote
This quote by Johan Huizinga speaks with the concept that while we have actually made great strides in understanding and controlling physical nature, we have yet to make similar progress in understanding and controlling human nature. Huizinga suggests that the successes of psychiatry, social services, and the war against crime are inadequate to really dominate human nature. Instead, he recommends that the only method to genuinely dominate human nature is for each person to take control of themselves. This idea speaks with the importance of self-control and self-discipline in order to accomplish real proficiency over one's own life. Huizinga's quote is a reminder that while we may have made excellent strides in understanding and controlling physical nature, we still have a long way to go in understanding and controlling our own humanity.