Genuine good taste consists in saying much in few words, in choosing among our thoughts, in having order and arrangement in what we say, and in speaking with composure.
Francois FenelonRead
That love of self, which the world advocates, is a thousand times more dangerous than any poison.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Self-love can be detrimental when it becomes excessive and toxic.
This quote by Francois Fenelon suggests that the kind of self-love promoted by societal norms can lead to negative consequences. Rather than fostering genuine self-acceptance, this form of self-love often leads individuals to become self-centered and disconnected from the needs of others, which can be much more harmful than any external threat.
Themes
Self-LoveDangerToxicNarcissismSelf-Acceptance
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about the dangers of narcissism in modern society.
More from Francois Fenelon
All quotes βTrue prayer is only another name for the love of God. Its excellence does not consist in the multitude of our words; for our Father knoweth what things we have need of before we ask Him. The true prayer is that of the heart, and the heart prays only for what it desires. To pray, then is to desire -- but to desire what God would have us desire. He who asks what he does not from the bottom of his heart desire, is mistaken in thinking that he prays.
Francois FenelonRead
The greatest of all crosses is self. If we die in part every day, we shall have but little to do on the last. These little daily deaths will destroy the power of the final dying.
Francois FenelonRead
How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak.
Francois FenelonRead
If we were faultless we should not be so much annoyed by the defects of those with whom we associate.
Francois FenelonRead
If the crowns of all the kingdoms of the empire were laid down at my feet in exchange for my books and my love of reading I would spurn them all.
Francois FenelonRead
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