Will power is to the mind like a strong blind man who carries on
Will power is to the mind like a strong blind man who carries on his shoulders a lame man who can see.
O Seekers of Truth, hear the words of Arthur Schopenhauer, who speaks of the mighty willpower: "Will power is to the mind like a strong blind man who carries on his shoulders a lame man who can see." In this powerful image, Schopenhauer invites us to reflect upon the dual nature of the mind’s strength. Willpower is the force that drives us forward, that compels us to act, to overcome obstacles, and to pursue our goals. Yet, without clear vision, without wisdom, it is like the blind man carrying the lame—powerful, but directionless. Willpower alone can move mountains, but it requires the guiding light of understanding to direct its might.
Consider, O Children, the strength of willpower. It is the force that pushes the body and mind beyond their natural limits. Yet, without vision—without the guidance of wisdom, the path forward can be fraught with danger, leading to destruction rather than triumph. The blind man, though strong in body, can make no progress without the sight of the lame man, who, though weak in body, holds the map to their shared journey. This image teaches us that willpower must be guided by insight, by understanding of the world and of ourselves.
Look to the life of Leonardo da Vinci, whose willpower was legendary. Yet, da Vinci did not only rely on his strength of will to create. He understood that to achieve greatness, one must blend the will to act with the vision to see what others could not. Da Vinci’s genius lay not only in his tireless effort but in his deep curiosity, his ability to see the world in ways others could not. It was his vision that guided the vast energy of his willpower, allowing him to leave behind a legacy that shaped science, art, and thought for centuries.
And so, O Seekers, we must understand this profound truth: the will is not enough. It is a blind force, like the blind man in Schopenhauer’s image, unless it is paired with wisdom—the sight that illuminates the path. Willpower is powerful, but it is only in partnership with vision that it leads us toward greatness. The true mastery of life lies in aligning our strength of will with the clarity of thought, ensuring that our actions are both purposeful and directed by the light of understanding.
Let us, therefore, cultivate not just the power of will, but the power of vision to guide it. The blind may carry the lame, but it is the lame man’s sight that allows them both to reach their destination. So too must our willpower be tempered with insight and wisdom, for it is the harmony of these forces that leads us to a life well-lived, a life of purpose and strength. In this balance, we find the path to true mastery, and in this mastery, the world opens before us.
TNThanh Ngan
This quote has me questioning how often we rely on our willpower without truly considering if we’re going in the right direction. If the blind man is strong but lacks sight, it’s almost like using sheer determination without real understanding. Is willpower more about persistence than clarity? How can we cultivate a balance between strength of will and wisdom to avoid pushing forward blindly into situations that may not be in our best interest?
BNBoi Ngoc
Schopenhauer’s analogy really makes me think about how willpower and reason can sometimes be at odds. A blind man carrying someone who can see seems like a representation of relying on strength without clear sight or insight. Could this be a comment on how we often rely on sheer willpower to push through challenges, even when we don’t fully understand what’s ahead? How can we ensure our willpower is being guided by insight rather than just blind determination?
QNQuynh Nhu
I find this metaphor quite fascinating because it speaks to the complexity of willpower. While willpower can be a great force, does it mean that we’re often blind to the deeper truths of our actions? What if our strong will leads us down a path without fully understanding why we’re going in that direction? How much of our strength is simply holding us up, but not necessarily guiding us in the best way?
ULUyen Le
This quote by Schopenhauer is really intriguing. I’ve always thought of willpower as something that propels us forward, but comparing it to a blind man carrying someone else gives me a different perspective. Could it mean that willpower, while strong, is sometimes directed in ways that aren’t always clear or ideal? Is it possible that our mental strength is often used to support decisions or actions that we can’t fully see the consequences of?