We can come to look upon the deaths of our enemies with as much regret as we feel for those of our friends, namely, when we miss their existence as witnesses to our success.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
We will gradually become indifferent to what goes on in the minds of other people when we acquire a knowledge of the superficial nature of their thoughts, the narrowness of their views and of the number of their errors. Whoever attaches a lot of value to the opinions of others pays them too much honor.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Indifference to others' opinions arises from understanding their limited perspectives and errors.
This quote by Arthur Schopenhauer emphasizes that as we gain insight into the superficial and often misguided nature of other people's thoughts, we learn to detach ourselves from valuing their opinions excessively. It suggests that many opinions are rooted in narrow thinking and error, and thus, giving them undue importance only serves to elevate them beyond their true worth.
Themes
IndifferenceOpinionsWisdomPerspectiveSelf-Worth
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about self-esteem, this quote can be used to remind the audience to focus on their own thoughts rather than the opinions of others.
More from Arthur Schopenhauer
All quotes →To be shocked at how deeply rejection hurts is to ignore what acceptance involves. We must never allow our suffering to be compounded by suggestions that there is something odd in suffering so deeply. There would be something amiss if we didn't.
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Almost all of our sorrows spring out of our relations with other people.
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Life is full of troubles and vexations, that one must either rise above it by means of corrected thoughts, or leave it.
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Our religions will never at any time take root; the ancient wisdom of the human race will not be supplanted by the events in Galilee. On the contrary, Indian wisdom flows back to Europe, and will produce a fundamental change in our knowledge and thought.
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It would be better if there were nothing. Since there is more pain than pleasure on earth, every satisfaction is only transitory, creating new desires and new distresses, and the agony of the devoured animal is always far greater than the pleasure of the devourer
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