“The Greeks are the only people who have ever been truly free.”
What this quote means
Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, a great philologist, expresses here an idealized vision of ancient Greek freedom. This assertion, though historically debatable, resonates as a tribute to the Greek city-state where political participation and critical thought were valued. It questions our own conception of freedom: is it a simple absence of constraints or an active participation in collective life?
How to apply it daily
Reflect on your own freedom: is it passive or active? Engage in a civic action, even modest, to experience a more participatory freedom.
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