Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer, Position, I
If people insist that honor is dearer than life itself, what they really mean is that existence and well-being are as nothing compared with other people's opinions. Of course, this may be only an exaggerated way of stating the prosaic truth that reputation, that is, the opinion others have of us, is indispensable if we are to make any progress in the world.
Summary
This quote highlights the idea that when some individuals claim that honor is more valuable than life, they are essentially prioritizing the opinions of others over their own existence and well-being. It suggests that this perspective may simply be an exaggerated expression of the practical reality that reputation and the opinions held by others are crucial for success and advancement in society. In a sense, the quote implies that the pursuit of honor is not worth sacrificing oneself, but rather a means to navigate and thrive in the world.