Original artwork, not a still
Telling us to obey instinct is like telling us to obey 'people.' People say different things: so do instincts. Our instincts are at war.... Each instinct, if you listen to it, will claim to be gratified at the expense of the rest.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The speaker argues that 'obey your instincts' is empty advice because instincts disagree with one another, just as people do. Each impulse, when heeded, demands satisfaction at the expense of the others, so inner life is a conflict needing judgment rather than simple obedience.
Context reviewed
