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#selfcenteredness — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #selfcenteredness, aggregated by home.social.

  1. A quotation from Robert Louis Stevenson

    An unconscious, easy, selfish person shocks less, and is more easily loved, than one who is laboriously and egotistically unselfish. There is at least no fuss about the first; but the other parades his sacrifices, and so sells his favours too dear.

    Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
    Essay (1880-01/02?), “Reflections and Remarks on Human Life,” § 5 “Selfishness and Egoism”

    More about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-robert-lou…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #robertlouisstevenson #ego #egotism #fuss #martyr #ostentation #pride #sacrifice #saint #selfcenteredness #selfishness #unselfishness

  2. A quotation from Robert Louis Stevenson

    An unconscious, easy, selfish person shocks less, and is more easily loved, than one who is laboriously and egotistically unselfish. There is at least no fuss about the first; but the other parades his sacrifices, and so sells his favours too dear.

    Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
    Essay (1880-01/02?), “Reflections and Remarks on Human Life,” § 5 “Selfishness and Egoism”

    More about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-robert-lou…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #robertlouisstevenson #ego #egotism #fuss #martyr #ostentation #pride #sacrifice #saint #selfcenteredness #selfishness #unselfishness

  3. A quotation from Robert Louis Stevenson

    An unconscious, easy, selfish person shocks less, and is more easily loved, than one who is laboriously and egotistically unselfish. There is at least no fuss about the first; but the other parades his sacrifices, and so sells his favours too dear.

    Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
    Essay (1880-01/02?), “Reflections and Remarks on Human Life,” § 5 “Selfishness and Egoism”

    More about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-robert-lou…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #robertlouisstevenson #ego #egotism #fuss #martyr #ostentation #pride #sacrifice #saint #selfcenteredness #selfishness #unselfishness

  4. A quotation from Robert Louis Stevenson

    An unconscious, easy, selfish person shocks less, and is more easily loved, than one who is laboriously and egotistically unselfish. There is at least no fuss about the first; but the other parades his sacrifices, and so sells his favours too dear.

    Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
    Essay (1880-01/02?), “Reflections and Remarks on Human Life,” § 5 “Selfishness and Egoism”

    More about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-robert-lou…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #robertlouisstevenson #ego #egotism #fuss #martyr #ostentation #pride #sacrifice #saint #selfcenteredness #selfishness #unselfishness

  5. A quotation from Robert Louis Stevenson

    An unconscious, easy, selfish person shocks less, and is more easily loved, than one who is laboriously and egotistically unselfish. There is at least no fuss about the first; but the other parades his sacrifices, and so sells his favours too dear.

    Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
    Essay (1880-01/02?), “Reflections and Remarks on Human Life,” § 5 “Selfishness and Egoism”

    More about this quote: wist.info/stevenson-robert-lou…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #robertlouisstevenson #ego #egotism #fuss #martyr #ostentation #pride #sacrifice #saint #selfcenteredness #selfishness #unselfishness

  6. A quotation from Ambrose Pierce

    CONCEIT, n. Self-respect in one whom we dislike.

    Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
    “Conceit,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-08-12)

    More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83247…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #conceit #ego #perspective #pride #selfcenteredness #selfrespect

  7. A quotation from Ambrose Pierce

    CONCEIT, n. Self-respect in one whom we dislike.

    Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
    “Conceit,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-08-12)

    More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83247…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #conceit #ego #perspective #pride #selfcenteredness #selfrespect

  8. A quotation from Ambrose Pierce

    CONCEIT, n. Self-respect in one whom we dislike.

    Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
    “Conceit,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-08-12)

    More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83247…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #conceit #ego #perspective #pride #selfcenteredness #selfrespect

  9. A quotation from Ambrose Pierce

    CONCEIT, n. Self-respect in one whom we dislike.

    Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
    “Conceit,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-08-12)

    More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83247…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #conceit #ego #perspective #pride #selfcenteredness #selfrespect

  10. A quotation from Ambrose Pierce

    CONCEIT, n. Self-respect in one whom we dislike.

    Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
    “Conceit,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-08-12)

    More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/83247…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #conceit #ego #perspective #pride #selfcenteredness #selfrespect

  11. A quotation from Montesquieu

    When virtue is banished, ambition invades the hearts of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.
     
    [Lorsque cette vertu cesse, l’ambition entre dans les cœurs qui peuvent la recevoir, & l’avarice entre dans tous.]

    Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
    Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Nugent (1750)]

    More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82760/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #ambition #avarice #civicvirtue #community #democracy #equality #greed #nation #patriotism #politicalvirtue #republic #selfcenteredness #selfishness #virtue

  12. A quotation from Montesquieu

    When virtue is banished, ambition invades the hearts of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.
     
    [Lorsque cette vertu cesse, l’ambition entre dans les cœurs qui peuvent la recevoir, & l’avarice entre dans tous.]

    Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
    Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Nugent (1750)]

    More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82760/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #ambition #avarice #civicvirtue #community #democracy #equality #greed #nation #patriotism #politicalvirtue #republic #selfcenteredness #selfishness #virtue

  13. A quotation from Montesquieu

    When virtue is banished, ambition invades the hearts of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.
     
    [Lorsque cette vertu cesse, l’ambition entre dans les cœurs qui peuvent la recevoir, & l’avarice entre dans tous.]

    Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
    Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Nugent (1750)]

    More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82760/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #ambition #avarice #civicvirtue #community #democracy #equality #greed #nation #patriotism #politicalvirtue #republic #selfcenteredness #selfishness #virtue

  14. A quotation from Montesquieu

    When virtue is banished, ambition invades the hearts of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.
     
    [Lorsque cette vertu cesse, l’ambition entre dans les cœurs qui peuvent la recevoir, & l’avarice entre dans tous.]

    Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
    Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Nugent (1750)]

    More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82760/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #ambition #avarice #civicvirtue #community #democracy #equality #greed #nation #patriotism #politicalvirtue #republic #selfcenteredness #selfishness #virtue

  15. A quotation from Montesquieu

    When virtue is banished, ambition invades the hearts of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.
     
    [Lorsque cette vertu cesse, l’ambition entre dans les cœurs qui peuvent la recevoir, & l’avarice entre dans tous.]

    Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
    Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Nugent (1750)]

    More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82760/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #ambition #avarice #civicvirtue #community #democracy #equality #greed #nation #patriotism #politicalvirtue #republic #selfcenteredness #selfishness #virtue

  16. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    In fact the whole antithesis between self and the rest of the world, which is implied in the doctrine of self-denial, disappears as soon as we have any genuine interest in persons or things outside ourselves. Through such interests a man comes to feel himself part of the stream of life, not a hard separate entity like a billiard-ball, which can have no relation with other such entities except that of collision.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 17 “The Happy Man” (1930)

    More about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/819…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #body #engagement #externalities #interest #life #living #meaningoflife #relationship #self #selfabsorption #selfcenteredness #selfdenial #selfsufficiency #separation #spirit #worldliness

  17. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    In fact the whole antithesis between self and the rest of the world, which is implied in the doctrine of self-denial, disappears as soon as we have any genuine interest in persons or things outside ourselves. Through such interests a man comes to feel himself part of the stream of life, not a hard separate entity like a billiard-ball, which can have no relation with other such entities except that of collision.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 17 “The Happy Man” (1930)

    More about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/819…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #body #engagement #externalities #interest #life #living #meaningoflife #relationship #self #selfabsorption #selfcenteredness #selfdenial #selfsufficiency #separation #spirit #worldliness

  18. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    In fact the whole antithesis between self and the rest of the world, which is implied in the doctrine of self-denial, disappears as soon as we have any genuine interest in persons or things outside ourselves. Through such interests a man comes to feel himself part of the stream of life, not a hard separate entity like a billiard-ball, which can have no relation with other such entities except that of collision.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 17 “The Happy Man” (1930)

    More about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/819…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #body #engagement #externalities #interest #life #living #meaningoflife #relationship #self #selfabsorption #selfcenteredness #selfdenial #selfsufficiency #separation #spirit #worldliness

  19. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    In fact the whole antithesis between self and the rest of the world, which is implied in the doctrine of self-denial, disappears as soon as we have any genuine interest in persons or things outside ourselves. Through such interests a man comes to feel himself part of the stream of life, not a hard separate entity like a billiard-ball, which can have no relation with other such entities except that of collision.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 17 “The Happy Man” (1930)

    More about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/819…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #body #engagement #externalities #interest #life #living #meaningoflife #relationship #self #selfabsorption #selfcenteredness #selfdenial #selfsufficiency #separation #spirit #worldliness

  20. A quotation from La Rochefoucauld

    Virtues are lost in self-interest as rivers are lost in the sea.
     
    [Les vertus se perdent dans l’intérêt, comme les fleuves se perdent dans la mer.]

    François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
    Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶171 (1665-1678) [tr. Whichello (2016)]

    More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/la-rochefoucauld-fra…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #larochefoucauld #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfsatisfaction #selfishness #virtue

  21. A quotation from La Rochefoucauld

    Virtues are lost in self-interest as rivers are lost in the sea.
     
    [Les vertus se perdent dans l’intérêt, comme les fleuves se perdent dans la mer.]

    François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
    Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶171 (1665-1678) [tr. Whichello (2016)]

    More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/la-rochefoucauld-fra…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #larochefoucauld #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfsatisfaction #selfishness #virtue

  22. A quotation from La Rochefoucauld

    Virtues are lost in self-interest as rivers are lost in the sea.
     
    [Les vertus se perdent dans l’intérêt, comme les fleuves se perdent dans la mer.]

    François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
    Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶171 (1665-1678) [tr. Whichello (2016)]

    More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/la-rochefoucauld-fra…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #larochefoucauld #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfsatisfaction #selfishness #virtue

  23. A quotation from La Rochefoucauld

    Virtues are lost in self-interest as rivers are lost in the sea.
     
    [Les vertus se perdent dans l’intérêt, comme les fleuves se perdent dans la mer.]

    François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
    Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶171 (1665-1678) [tr. Whichello (2016)]

    More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/la-rochefoucauld-fra…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #larochefoucauld #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfsatisfaction #selfishness #virtue

  24. A quotation from La Rochefoucauld

    Virtues are lost in self-interest as rivers are lost in the sea.
     
    [Les vertus se perdent dans l’intérêt, comme les fleuves se perdent dans la mer.]

    François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
    Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶171 (1665-1678) [tr. Whichello (2016)]

    More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/la-rochefoucauld-fra…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #larochefoucauld #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfsatisfaction #selfishness #virtue

  25. A quotation from Mignon McLaughlin

    Of course no one is so sensitive as you, but try to remember they think they are.

    Mignon McLaughlin (1913-1983) American journalist and author
    The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 4 (1966)

    More about this quote: wist.info/mclaughlin-mignon/80…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #migonmclaughlin #others #perspective #selfabsorption #selfcenteredness #selffocus #sensitivity

  26. A quotation from Mignon McLaughlin

    Of course no one is so sensitive as you, but try to remember they think they are.

    Mignon McLaughlin (1913-1983) American journalist and author
    The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 4 (1966)

    More about this quote: wist.info/mclaughlin-mignon/80…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #migonmclaughlin #others #perspective #selfabsorption #selfcenteredness #selffocus #sensitivity

  27. A quotation from Judith Martin

       Contrary to rumor, bridesmaids are not obliged to entertain in honor of the bride, nor to wear clothes that they cannot afford and that make them look stupid.
       And no, the bride does not have a “right” to demand either one because it is “her day.” Any sensible person who hears someone speaking in an imperious tone of “her day” would be wise to consider that it therefore isn’t going to be anyone else’s day, and to leave her to enjoy it alone.

    Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
    “Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1993-03-07)

    More about this quote: wist.info/martin-judith/80439/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #judithmartin #missmanners #bride #demands #etiquette #selfcenteredness #selfishness #wedding

  28. A quotation from Judith Martin

       Contrary to rumor, bridesmaids are not obliged to entertain in honor of the bride, nor to wear clothes that they cannot afford and that make them look stupid.
       And no, the bride does not have a “right” to demand either one because it is “her day.” Any sensible person who hears someone speaking in an imperious tone of “her day” would be wise to consider that it therefore isn’t going to be anyone else’s day, and to leave her to enjoy it alone.

    Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
    “Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1993-03-07)

    More about this quote: wist.info/martin-judith/80439/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #judithmartin #missmanners #bride #demands #etiquette #selfcenteredness #selfishness #wedding

  29. A quotation from Judith Martin

       Contrary to rumor, bridesmaids are not obliged to entertain in honor of the bride, nor to wear clothes that they cannot afford and that make them look stupid.
       And no, the bride does not have a “right” to demand either one because it is “her day.” Any sensible person who hears someone speaking in an imperious tone of “her day” would be wise to consider that it therefore isn’t going to be anyone else’s day, and to leave her to enjoy it alone.

    Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
    “Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1993-03-07)

    More about this quote: wist.info/martin-judith/80439/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #judithmartin #missmanners #bride #demands #etiquette #selfcenteredness #selfishness #wedding

  30. A quotation from Judith Martin

       Contrary to rumor, bridesmaids are not obliged to entertain in honor of the bride, nor to wear clothes that they cannot afford and that make them look stupid.
       And no, the bride does not have a “right” to demand either one because it is “her day.” Any sensible person who hears someone speaking in an imperious tone of “her day” would be wise to consider that it therefore isn’t going to be anyone else’s day, and to leave her to enjoy it alone.

    Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
    “Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1993-03-07)

    More about this quote: wist.info/martin-judith/80439/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #judithmartin #missmanners #bride #demands #etiquette #selfcenteredness #selfishness #wedding

  31. A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

    SELFISH, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others.

    Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
    “Selfish,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

    More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/1057/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #ego #inconsideration #selfabsorption #selfaggrandizement #selfcenteredness #selfishness

  32. A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

    SELFISH, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others.

    Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
    “Selfish,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

    More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/1057/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #ego #inconsideration #selfabsorption #selfaggrandizement #selfcenteredness #selfishness

  33. A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

    SELFISH, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others.

    Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
    “Selfish,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

    More about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/1057/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #ambrosebierce #devilsdictionary #ego #inconsideration #selfabsorption #selfaggrandizement #selfcenteredness #selfishness

  34. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal circumstances it is difficult not to demand of life more than it has to give.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 10 “Is Happiness Still Possible?” (1930)

    More info about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/800…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #dissatisfaction #happiness #perspective #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfishness

  35. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal circumstances it is difficult not to demand of life more than it has to give.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 10 “Is Happiness Still Possible?” (1930)

    More info about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/800…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #dissatisfaction #happiness #perspective #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfishness

  36. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal circumstances it is difficult not to demand of life more than it has to give.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 10 “Is Happiness Still Possible?” (1930)

    More info about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/800…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #dissatisfaction #happiness #perspective #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfishness

  37. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal circumstances it is difficult not to demand of life more than it has to give.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 10 “Is Happiness Still Possible?” (1930)

    More info about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/800…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #dissatisfaction #happiness #perspective #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfishness

  38. A quotation from Bertrand Russell

    If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal circumstances it is difficult not to demand of life more than it has to give.

    Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) English mathematician and philosopher
    Conquest of Happiness, Part 2, ch. 10 “Is Happiness Still Possible?” (1930)

    More info about this quote: wist.info/russell-bertrand/800…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bertrandrussell #dissatisfaction #happiness #perspective #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfishness

  39. A quotation from Hannah Arendt

    What stuck in the minds of these men who had become murderers was simply the notion of being involved in something historic, grandiose, unique (“a great task that occurs once in two thousand years”), which must therefore be difficult to bear. This was important, because the murderers were not sadists or killers by nature; on the contrary, a systematic effort was made to weed out all those who derived physical pleasure from what they did. The troops of the Einsatzgruppen had been drafted from the Armed S.S., a military unit with hardly more crimes in its record than any ordinary unit of the German Army, and their commanders had been chosen by Heydrich from the S.S. élite with academic degrees. Hence the problem was how to overcome not so much their conscience as the animal pity by which all normal men are affected in the presence of physical suffering. The trick used by Himmler — who apparently was rather strongly afflicted by these instinctive reactions himself — was very simple and probably very effective; it consisted in turning these instincts around, as it were, in directing them toward the self. So that instead of saying: What horrible things I did to people!, the murderers would be able to say: What horrible things I had to watch in the pursuance of my duties, how heavily the task weighed upon my shoulders!

    Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) German-American philosopher, political theorist
    Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil, ch. 6 (1963)

    More info about this quote: wist.info/arendt-hannah/13940/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #hannaharendt #banalityofevil #burden #difficulty #duty #genocide #Holocaust #killer #murder #murderer #persuasion #pity #selfcenteredness #selfdeception #selfpity #task #selfjustification

  40. A quotation from Hannah Arendt

    What stuck in the minds of these men who had become murderers was simply the notion of being involved in something historic, grandiose, unique (“a great task that occurs once in two thousand years”), which must therefore be difficult to bear. This was important, because the murderers were not sadists or killers by nature; on the contrary, a systematic effort was made to weed out all those who derived physical pleasure from what they did. The troops of the Einsatzgruppen had been drafted from the Armed S.S., a military unit with hardly more crimes in its record than any ordinary unit of the German Army, and their commanders had been chosen by Heydrich from the S.S. élite with academic degrees. Hence the problem was how to overcome not so much their conscience as the animal pity by which all normal men are affected in the presence of physical suffering. The trick used by Himmler — who apparently was rather strongly afflicted by these instinctive reactions himself — was very simple and probably very effective; it consisted in turning these instincts around, as it were, in directing them toward the self. So that instead of saying: What horrible things I did to people!, the murderers would be able to say: What horrible things I had to watch in the pursuance of my duties, how heavily the task weighed upon my shoulders!

    Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) German-American philosopher, political theorist
    Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil, ch. 6 (1963)

    More info about this quote: wist.info/arendt-hannah/13940/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #hannaharendt #banalityofevil #burden #difficulty #duty #genocide #Holocaust #killer #murder #murderer #persuasion #pity #selfcenteredness #selfdeception #selfpity #task #selfjustification

  41. A quotation from Hannah Arendt

    What stuck in the minds of these men who had become murderers was simply the notion of being involved in something historic, grandiose, unique (“a great task that occurs once in two thousand years”), which must therefore be difficult to bear. This was important, because the murderers were not sadists or killers by nature; on the contrary, a systematic effort was made to weed out all those who derived physical pleasure from what they did. The troops of the Einsatzgruppen had been drafted from the Armed S.S., a military unit with hardly more crimes in its record than any ordinary unit of the German Army, and their commanders had been chosen by Heydrich from the S.S. élite with academic degrees. Hence the problem was how to overcome not so much their conscience as the animal pity by which all normal men are affected in the presence of physical suffering. The trick used by Himmler — who apparently was rather strongly afflicted by these instinctive reactions himself — was very simple and probably very effective; it consisted in turning these instincts around, as it were, in directing them toward the self. So that instead of saying: What horrible things I did to people!, the murderers would be able to say: What horrible things I had to watch in the pursuance of my duties, how heavily the task weighed upon my shoulders!

    Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) German-American philosopher, political theorist
    Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil, ch. 6 (1963)

    More info about this quote: wist.info/arendt-hannah/13940/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #hannaharendt #banalityofevil #burden #difficulty #duty #genocide #Holocaust #killer #murder #murderer #persuasion #pity #selfcenteredness #selfdeception #selfpity #task #selfjustification

  42. A quotation from Hannah Arendt

    What stuck in the minds of these men who had become murderers was simply the notion of being involved in something historic, grandiose, unique (“a great task that occurs once in two thousand years”), which must therefore be difficult to bear. This was important, because the murderers were not sadists or killers by nature; on the contrary, a systematic effort was made to weed out all those who derived physical pleasure from what they did. The troops of the Einsatzgruppen had been drafted from the Armed S.S., a military unit with hardly more crimes in its record than any ordinary unit of the German Army, and their commanders had been chosen by Heydrich from the S.S. élite with academic degrees. Hence the problem was how to overcome not so much their conscience as the animal pity by which all normal men are affected in the presence of physical suffering. The trick used by Himmler — who apparently was rather strongly afflicted by these instinctive reactions himself — was very simple and probably very effective; it consisted in turning these instincts around, as it were, in directing them toward the self. So that instead of saying: What horrible things I did to people!, the murderers would be able to say: What horrible things I had to watch in the pursuance of my duties, how heavily the task weighed upon my shoulders!

    Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) German-American philosopher, political theorist
    Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil, ch. 6 (1963)

    More info about this quote: wist.info/arendt-hannah/13940/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #hannaharendt #banalityofevil #burden #difficulty #duty #genocide #Holocaust #killer #murder #murderer #persuasion #pity #selfcenteredness #selfdeception #selfpity #task #selfjustification

  43. A quotation from Samuel Johnson

    There will always be a part, and always a very large part of every community, that have no care but for themselves, and whose care for themselves reaches little further than impatience of immediate pain, and eagerness for the nearest good.

    Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
    Essay (1775), “Taxation No Tyranny”

    More info about this quote: wist.info/johnson-samuel/19474…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #SamuelJohnson #community #freerider #greed #neighbor #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfishness #society

  44. A quotation from Samuel Johnson

    There will always be a part, and always a very large part of every community, that have no care but for themselves, and whose care for themselves reaches little further than impatience of immediate pain, and eagerness for the nearest good.

    Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
    Essay (1775), “Taxation No Tyranny”

    More info about this quote: wist.info/johnson-samuel/19474…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #SamuelJohnson #community #freerider #greed #neighbor #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfishness #society

  45. A quotation from Samuel Johnson

    There will always be a part, and always a very large part of every community, that have no care but for themselves, and whose care for themselves reaches little further than impatience of immediate pain, and eagerness for the nearest good.

    Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
    Essay (1775), “Taxation No Tyranny”

    More info about this quote: wist.info/johnson-samuel/19474…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #SamuelJohnson #community #freerider #greed #neighbor #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfishness #society

  46. A quotation from Samuel Johnson

    There will always be a part, and always a very large part of every community, that have no care but for themselves, and whose care for themselves reaches little further than impatience of immediate pain, and eagerness for the nearest good.

    Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
    Essay (1775), “Taxation No Tyranny”

    More info about this quote: wist.info/johnson-samuel/19474…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #SamuelJohnson #community #freerider #greed #neighbor #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfishness #society

  47. A quotation from Samuel Johnson

    There will always be a part, and always a very large part of every community, that have no care but for themselves, and whose care for themselves reaches little further than impatience of immediate pain, and eagerness for the nearest good.

    Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
    Essay (1775), “Taxation No Tyranny”

    More info about this quote: wist.info/johnson-samuel/19474…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #SamuelJohnson #community #freerider #greed #neighbor #selfcenteredness #selfinterest #selfishness #society

  48. A quotation from Hazlitt

    The least pain in our little finger gives more concern and uneasiness than the destruction of millions of our fellow beings.

    William Hazlitt (1778-1830) English writer
    Essay (1829-10), “American Literature — Dr. Channing,” Edinburgh Review, Vol. 50, No. 99, Art. 7

    More info about this quote: wist.info/hazlitt-william/1423…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #hazlitt #williamhazlitt #compassion #concern #discomfort #pain #perspective #pity #scale #selfabsorption #selfcenteredness #selffocus #selfimportance #selfpity #selfishness

  49. A quotation from Hazlitt

    The least pain in our little finger gives more concern and uneasiness than the destruction of millions of our fellow beings.

    William Hazlitt (1778-1830) English writer
    Essay (1829-10), “American Literature — Dr. Channing,” Edinburgh Review, Vol. 50, No. 99, Art. 7

    More info about this quote: wist.info/hazlitt-william/1423…

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #hazlitt #williamhazlitt #compassion #concern #discomfort #pain #perspective #pity #scale #selfabsorption #selfcenteredness #selffocus #selfimportance #selfpity #selfishness