Pride is founded not on the sense of happiness, but on the sense of power.
William HazlittRead
The dupe of friendship, and the fool of love; have I not reason to hate and to despise myself? Indeed I do; and chiefly for not having hated and despised the world enough.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses self-loathing due to perceived foolishness in friendship and love, and reflects a broader disdain for the world.
In this quote, William Hazlitt delves into the complex emotions of self-reflection, revealing a profound sense of disappointment in oneself for being naive or overly trusting in friendships and romantic relationships. The speaker grapples with feelings of self-hatred, not only for their own shortcomings but also for their failure to adopt a more cynical view of the world around them, suggesting that such a perspective might protect one from emotional pain.
Themes
FriendshipLoveSelf-LoathingDisdainCynicism
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a personal development workshop to highlight the importance of self-awareness.
More from William Hazlitt
All quotes →The world loves to be amused by hollow professions, to be deceived by flattering appearances, to live in a state of hallucination; and can forgive everything but the plain, downright, simple, honest truth.
William HazlittRead
Our repugnance to death increases in proportion to our consciousness of having lived in vain.
William HazlittRead
We can bear to be deprived of everything but our self-conceit.
William HazlittRead
There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the esteem we profess to entertain for our firends. It is little better than a piece of quackery. The truth is, we think of them as we please, that is, as they please or displease us.
William HazlittRead
Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater. Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it.
William HazlittRead
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