Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Mark Van Doren Quote “To be what no one ever was, to be what everyone has been: Freedom is the mean of those extremes that fence all effort in.” ~ Mark Van Doren (1894-1972) Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, professor, and critic Freedom , Individualism , Liberty , Self-Determination Ratings and Comments Reply Mike, Norwalk 7/17/14 I don't know enough of the author's style to understand completely what is trying to be said. If I knew, I would probably give a higher rating. As a stand alone statement and, (?) as I understand the topic, I would state it very differently; for example; a natural law order supports freedom which, the whole thereof facilitates a desired coming to be. May that is what is meant ? Reply Ron w13, Or 7/17/14 " To be or not to be; that is the question; " Freedom , the ability to focus one's own will that fences all effort in. Reply E Archer, NYC 7/17/14 Freedom does not lie in the 'mean' between the extremes, it includes the extremes and everything in between. Bear in mind that the freedom to do does not necessarily include the power or ability to do, which I would say fences all effort in. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Mark Van Doren quote is found in these categories: Freedom quotes Individualism quotes Liberty quotes Self-Determination quotes About Mark Van Doren Bio of Mark Van Doren Quotations by Mark Van Doren Books by/about Mark Van Doren Mark Van Doren videos Mark Van Doren on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Mark Van Doren