To have that sense of one's intrinsic worth which constitutes self-respect is potentially to have everything: the ability to discriminate, to love and to remain indifferent. To lack it is to be locked within oneself, paradoxically incapable of either love or indifference.

Summary

This quote highlights the significance of self-respect and how it ultimately impacts our ability to live fulfilling lives. It suggests that having a strong sense of self-worth unlocks various fundamental aspects of our existence. With self-respect, we gain the ability to discern, to love others genuinely, and to remain emotionally balanced by being indifferent to negativity. On the other hand, lacking self-respect traps us in a state of self-absorption, rendering us incapable of truly loving others or being indifferent to destructive forces. In this sense, self-respect becomes the foundation for a meaningful and harmonious existence.

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