Who said “Man cannot be free if he does not know that he is subject to necessity, because his…”?

Verified

Hannah Arendt. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Human Condition (1958), part 3, chapter 16

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“Man cannot be free if he does not know that he is subject to necessity, because his freedom is always won in his never wholly successful attempts to liberate himself from necessity.”
VerifiedThe Human Condition (1958), part 3, chapter 16 · evidenceNecessity
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Human Condition (1958), part 3, chapter 16.

APA

Arendt, H. (n.d.). Man cannot be free if he does not know that he is subject to necessity, because his freedom is always won in his never wholly successful attempts to liberate himself from necessity. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25869-man-cannot-be-free-if-he-does-not/

MLA

Arendt, Hannah. “Man cannot be free if he does not know that he is subject to necessity, because his freedom is always won in his never wholly successful attempts to liberate himself from necessity.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25869-man-cannot-be-free-if-he-does-not/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Arendt, Hannah. “Man cannot be free if he does not know that he is subject to necessity, because his freedom is always won in his never wholly successful attempts to liberate himself from necessity.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25869-man-cannot-be-free-if-he-does-not/.