A man who denies his heart, either through fear of personal consequence--whether regarding physical jeopardy, or self-doubt, or simply of being ostracized--is not free. To go against your values and tenets, against that which you know is right and true, creates a prison stronger than adamantine bars and thick stone walls. Every instance of putting expediency above the cries of conscience throws another heavy chain out behind, an anchor to drag forevermore.