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Paint witty 385 Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

What is the meaning of the phrase"tame the flesh"

I read "he spent a lifetime seeking to tame the flesh in freedom struggle."
  

Top answer

The phrase "in freedom struggle" is incomprehensible. It seems to mean "in his struggle for freedom" or "in a struggle for freedom (his or others')". It might be that the writer meant something entirely different and missed by a mile.

  • The phrase "in freedom struggle" is incomprehensible.
  • It seems to mean "in his struggle for freedom" or "in a struggle for freedom (his or others')".
  • It might be that the writer meant something entirely different and missed by a mile.
  • Anyway, to tame the flesh ordinarily means to go beyond one's physical desires, to place them second to some higher purpose, but I don't see how that relates to whatever struggle is meant.
  • And that assumes that it's his own flesh we're talking about.
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2 Answers
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The phrase "in freedom struggle" is incomprehensible. It seems to mean "in his struggle for freedom" or "in a struggle for freedom (his or others')". It might be that the writer meant something entirely different and missed by a mile. Anyway, to tame the flesh ordinarily means to go beyond one's physical desires, to place them second to some higher purpose, but I don't see how that relates to

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"tame the flesh" appears to mean to try to suppress physical desires, especially sexual desires, with a suggestion that these may be seen as immoral. However, "freedom struggle" is, to me, a slightly strange or unexpected way to describe such an endeavour. "freedom struggle" would usually refer to a nation or race trying to break free of an oppressor. It isn't clear, at least without more cont

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