She would be one of those who kneel to their own shadows…
““She would be one of those who kneel to their own shadows till feet grow on their knees; then go down on their hands till their hands grow into feet; then lay their faces on the ground till they grow into snouts; when at last they are a hideous sort of lizards, each of which believes himself the best, wisest, and loveliest being in the world, yea, the very centre of the universe. And so they run about for ever looking for their own shadows that they may worship them, and miserable because they cannot find them, being themselves too near the ground to have any shadows; and what becomes of them at last, there is but one who knows.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A satirical portrait of self‑absorbed individuals who worship their own ego, becoming grotesque and delusional.
In simple terms: People who idolize themselves become distorted and blind.
Key Takeaway
Beware self‑idolatry.
Themes
ego
delusion
humility
self‑awareness
Mood
cynical
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- leadership training
- psychotherapy
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
Narcissism
existential satire
identity crisis
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of yourself do you idolize?
- How can humility prevent self‑destruction?
A Different Perspective
Their worship of self blinds them to reality and leads to misery.