“No addiction is good.”
- May 20, 1935 – May 13, 2025
- Uruguayan
- Politician, Former President of Uruguay, Former Guerrilla Fighter, Advocate for Simple Living
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Quote
“No addiction is good.”
Explanation
With this concise and absolute statement, José Mujica affirms a core belief in personal freedom and balance, warning that any form of addiction—whether to drugs, power, wealth, or consumption—undermines autonomy and well-being. The use of the word “no” is deliberately inclusive, suggesting that even socially accepted or subtle forms of dependence can be damaging when they control rather than serve the individual.
This principle reflects Mujica’s broader life philosophy, rooted in sobriety, simplicity, and ethical restraint. Having lived through years of imprisonment and political struggle, he came to value internal strength and clarity of mind, both of which are compromised by addiction. His presidency promoted policies of harm reduction and regulation, such as legalizing cannabis in Uruguay, not to encourage use, but to break the cycle of abuse and criminalization. His stance was always clear: freedom requires self-control.
In today’s society, where addictions range from substances to screens to status, Mujica’s words challenge us to examine what we serve versus what serves us. His message is not moralistic, but liberating: to live fully, one must remain conscious, free, and undominated by compulsions, no matter how normalized they are.
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