Quote by Marcus Aurelius

I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than on the opinions of others.


I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself

Summary

This quote by Marcus Aurelius highlights the paradoxical nature of human behavior. While individuals have a natural tendency to prioritize themselves and their well-being, they often undermine their own self-perception by placing greater importance on the opinions and judgments of others. It raises questions about the underlying need for external validation. Despite loving oneself the most, this tendency manifests as a lack of confidence in one's own opinions and a desire to seek approval from others.

Topics

Men
By Marcus Aurelius
Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Religion is the opium of the people. He believed that, that dyspeptic little joint-keeper. Yes, and music is the opium of the people. Old mount-to-the-head hadn't thought of that. And now economics is the opium of the people; along with patriotism the opium of the people in Italy and Germany. What about sexual intercourse; was that an opium of the people? Of some of the people. Of some of the best of the people. But drink was a sovereign opium of the people, oh, an excellent opium. Although some prefer the radio, another opium of the people, a cheap one he had just been using. Along with these went gambling, an opium of the people if there ever was one, one of the oldest. Ambition was another, an opium of the people along with a belief in any new form of government. What you wanted was the minimum of government, always less government. Liberty, what we believed in, now the name of a MacFadden publication. We believed in that although they had not found a new name for it yet. But what was the real one? What was the real, the actual, opium of the people? He knew it very well. It was gone just a little way around the corner in that well-lighted part of his mind that was there after two or more drinks in the evening; that he knew was there (it was not really there of course). What was it? He knew very well. What was it? Of course; bread was the opium of the people. Would he remember that and would it make sense in the daylight? Bread is the opium of the people.

Ernest Hemingway