I am not your king, impudent larva? Who then has created you? You. But you should not have created me free.

I am not your king, impudent larva? Who then has created you? You. But you should not have created me free.

πŸ“– Jean-Paul Sartre

🌍 French  |  πŸ‘¨β€πŸ’Ό Philosopher

πŸŽ‚ June 21, 1905  β€“  ⚰️ April 15, 1980
(0 Reviews)

This quote from Jean-Paul Sartre's play 'The Flies' encapsulates a profound existential dilemma regarding freedom, responsibility, and authority. The speaker denies any imposed dominion or control, challenging the assumption or desire that one should be subject to an external king or master. The use of the term "impudent larva" conveys a sense of disdain towards the one trying to assert authority, suggesting an underlying struggle of power and identity.

The dialogue then takes a philosophical turn with the question "Who then has created you?" which gets answered with a pointed "You." This reflects Sartre's existentialism tenet that human beings are the creators of their own essence and identity through their actions and choices. This self-creation is both empowering and burdensome because it implies ultimate responsibility for one's freedom. The concluding rebuke, "But you should not have created me free," speaks to the anxiety of freedom itself - that freedom is not an unalloyed good but a source of existential tension and conflict. It challenges the desire to limit freedom in order to avoid the angst it entails.

Through this quote, Sartre underscores freedom's dual nature as both a gift and a challenge. One becomes with freedom, but with it comes the responsibility which might make one resent the freedom itself if it conflicts with imposed orders or expectations. This philosophical stance pushes readers or the audience to confront the difficult reality that freedom cannot be externalized or abdicated, and authority claims are ultimately fragile against authentic freedom. The quote invites deep reflection on how freedom is constructed, who holds power, and the existential costs of liberty.

Page views
0
Update
June 14, 2025

Rate the Quote

Add Comment & Review

User Reviews

Based on 0 reviews
5 Star
0
4 Star
0
3 Star
0
2 Star
0
1 Star
0
Add Comment & Review
We'll never share your email with anyone else.