Q0128
“In choosing himself, man chooses all men.” — Jean-Paul Sartre (Existentialism Is a Humanism)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: Existentialism Is a Humanism. Theme: choice.
English
In choosing himself, man chooses all men.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to Existentialism Is a Humanism and files it under Existentialism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980) was the public face of French existentialism, author of Being and Nothingness, plays, novels, and political essays. Captured in World War II, he later co-founded Les Temps modernes and refused the 1964 Nobel Prize.
How to read this passage
Free will, decision theory, and existential choice all ask how choosing is possible and what makes a choice one’s own. This passage enters that discussion through choice, responsibility, humanity.
Concepts in this quote
- Choice
- Choice is the hinge of agency: selecting among options under reasons, constraints, and uncertainty.
- Responsibility
- Responsibility asks what we answer for—our choices, omissions, institutions, and the futures we help create.
- Humanity
- Humanity names both the species and the moral quality of being humane—bridging anthropology and ethics.
How to cite this quotation
APA: Jean-Paul Sartre. (n.d.). In choosing himself, man chooses all men. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0128
MLA: Jean-Paul Sartre. “In choosing himself, man chooses all men..” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0128.
Chicago: Jean-Paul Sartre. “In choosing himself, man chooses all men..” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0128.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “In choosing himself, man chooses all men.”?
The passage is attributed to Jean-Paul Sartre, Existentialism Is a Humanism. The archive attributes this English wording to Existentialism Is a Humanism and files it under Existentialism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does Jean-Paul Sartre mean by choice?
Free will, decision theory, and existential choice all ask how choosing is possible and what makes a choice one’s own. This passage enters that discussion through choice, responsibility, humanity.