Nothing is so soothing to our self esteem as to find our bad traits in our forebears. It seems to absolve us.

Summary

This quote suggests that we find comfort in discovering negative qualities or flaws in our ancestors, as it provides a sense of relief or exoneration for our own shortcomings. By attributing our own undesirable attributes to our family history, we are able to distance ourselves from any personal responsibility or accountability. Essentially, this practice allows us to boost our self-esteem by shifting the blame onto our predecessors and perceiving ourselves as less flawed in comparison.

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