Skip to content

Someone who thinks well of himself is said to have a…

“Someone who thinks well of himself is said to have a healthy self-concept and is envied. Someone who thinks well of his country is called a patriot and is applauded. But someone who thinks well of his species is regarded as hopelessly naïve and is dismissed.” quote by Alfie Kohn
Download Open image
“Someone who thinks well of himself is said to have a healthy self-concept and is envied. Someone who thinks well of his country is called a patriot and is applauded. But someone who thinks well of his species is regarded as hopelessly naïve and is dismissed.”

Alfie Kohn

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Highlights how self‑esteem, patriotism, and species‑wide concern are differently valued, with the latter often dismissed as naive.

In simple terms: People praise self‑love and patriotism but reject caring for all humanity.

Key Takeaway

Balance personal, national, and global concern.

Themes

ethics psychology social perception environmentalism

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • education
  • public policy
  • activism

Key Concepts

self‑concept patriotism humanism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we value caring for humanity?
  • What biases affect our judgments?
A Different Perspective

It may ignore the importance of global empathy.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Alfie Kohn

Explore all 88 Alfie Kohn quotes

More Concepts quotes

Browse all 2,468 Concepts quotes