Frankly, I love my independence too much to give it up.

"Frankly, I love my independence too much to give it up." – Akkineni Nagarjuna

In these words lies the eternal cry of the free spirit, the declaration of one who has tasted the sacred fire of independence and vowed never to let it be extinguished. To love one’s independence is not merely to enjoy solitude or self-rule — it is to honor the divine spark of choice that dwells within every human being. This statement, though spoken in modern times by the Indian actor Akkineni Nagarjuna, echoes with the same resonance as the oaths of ancient sages and warriors who walked paths untamed by fear or conformity. It is a hymn to the soul’s right to steer its own course, even when the winds of the world howl in opposition.

The origin of this sentiment can be traced not only to the man who spoke it, but to the ancient spirit that breathes within all who cherish self-mastery. Nagarjuna, an artist of the modern age, is known for carving his destiny beyond the shadows of lineage and fame. Born into a family of cinematic legends, he could have easily drifted on the tides of inherited glory. Yet, he chose the harder path — to define himself, to act by his own creed, and to claim no master but his own conscience. His words, “I love my independence too much to give it up,” are therefore not boastful but sacred — a reminder that freedom is both a gift and a discipline, requiring courage to defend and wisdom to sustain.

In the scrolls of time, there are countless souls who have walked this path of independence before him. Consider Socrates, the philosopher of Athens, who refused to renounce his truth even when the city demanded his silence. They offered him life in exchange for obedience — but he chose death, drinking the hemlock with serene conviction. In his final moments, Socrates proved that independence of thought is the truest form of life, for it survives even when the body perishes. His story reminds us that liberty of spirit can never be gifted; it must be claimed, and often at a price.

Or recall Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, the warrior queen who refused to surrender her kingdom to the British Empire. When threatened, she declared, “I shall not give up my Jhansi.” In those fiery words lies the same essence as Nagarjuna’s — a refusal to bow before force, a vow to remain sovereign over one’s own destiny. She rode into battle with her infant son tied to her back, embodying the fierce grace of independence that neither empire nor death could subdue. Her life was brief, but her spirit remains immortal, for independence once embraced becomes eternal.

To love one’s independence, however, is not to shun others or walk in arrogance. True independence is born not of pride, but of understanding — the understanding that every being must carry their own flame through the darkness. Dependence can be comfortable, like the shade of a tree in summer, but linger too long, and one forgets how to walk beneath the sun. Those who seek to live fully must sometimes step away from shelter and face the open sky, where their will is tested and their strength revealed.

In our age, when voices are many and distractions endless, the art of independence has become a forgotten virtue. To reclaim it, one must learn to listen inwardly, to act not because others approve, but because one’s inner law commands it. This means daring to say “no” when convenience whispers “yes,” to walk alone when truth demands solitude. Such independence is not rebellion for its own sake; it is harmony with one’s deepest calling, and it grants a serenity that no external approval can bestow.

The lesson, then, is clear: guard your independence as you would guard your soul. It is the wellspring of your dignity, creativity, and purpose. To surrender it is to live as a shadow of another’s will; to preserve it is to walk in the light of your own becoming. Let each reader remember: independence is not given, it is chosen — in every thought, every decision, every act of courage that says, “This is who I am.”

So, in your own life, take up this teaching. Speak your truth even when your voice trembles. Stand firm in your convictions, even when the crowd moves another way. And each morning, before the day begins, whisper to yourself — as Nagarjuna once did — “Frankly, I love my independence too much to give it up.” For in that declaration lies not just freedom, but the fullness of being truly alive.