It is the freedom of the individual to follow his star and reach his goal.
That star binds him down to certain lines and his freedom is in exact proportion to his fidelity to the lines.

The seeming paradox may be puzzling: a concrete example will make it clear.

Suppose a man, shipwrecked, finds himself at sea in an open boat, without his bearings or a rudder.

He is at the mercy of the wind and wave, without freedom, helpless.

But give him his bearings and a helm, and at once he recovers his course; he finds his position and can strike the path to freedom.