He who believes in freedom of the will has never loved and never hated.

Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach’s quote, "He who believes in freedom of the will has never loved and never hated," explores the complexity of human emotions and the tension between free will and emotional experiences. Ebner-Eschenbach suggests that intense feelings like love and hate are so powerful and overwhelming that they transcend the idea of free will. When someone is truly consumed by these emotions, they may feel as though they are controlled by them, rather than freely choosing to feel that way.

The quote critiques the notion of absolute free will, particularly in the context of deep emotional experiences. Love and hate often feel like forces beyond an individual's control, dictating actions and thoughts. By saying that someone who truly understands the power of these emotions has never believed in freedom of the will, Ebner-Eschenbach argues that when emotions are this strong, they negate the idea of being able to choose freely how to feel or act.

In essence, the quote reveals that intense emotional experiences can make people feel powerless to their feelings, as if they have no control over their actions. Love and hate can lead to irrational decisions or extreme behavior, making the concept of freely choosing one’s emotional responses seem unrealistic. This challenges the idea of free will as the sole determinant of human behavior, suggesting that emotions can sometimes override it.

Ultimately, Ebner-Eschenbach’s words invite reflection on the limitations of freedom of the will when it comes to the most powerful aspects of the human experience. The quote reminds us that certain emotions—particularly love and hate—can feel so overwhelming that they appear to leave little room for rational choice, pointing to the complexities of human psychology and behavior.