Explaining "A man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills"

What does it mean?

The phrase means that while a person can perform actions according to their desires (do what he wills), they do not have control over what those desires are. It suggests the limitation of human freedom, implying that even though individuals can act on their will, they cannot willfully choose their desires themselves.

Tone

Origin

The phrase is based on the writings of Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher known for his work on the philosophy of will. It highlights the deterministic nature of human desires.