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The human race is unimportant. It is the self that must…

“The human race is unimportant. It is the self that must not be betrayed.' 'I suppose one could say that Hitler didn't betray his self.' He turned. 'You are right. He did not. But millions of Germans did betray their selves. That was the tragedy.'” quote by John Fowles
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“The human race is unimportant. It is the self that must not be betrayed.' 'I suppose one could say that Hitler didn't betray his self.' He turned. 'You are right. He did not. But millions of Germans did betray their selves. That was the tragedy.'”

John Fowles

About This Quote

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

The quote stresses that personal integrity matters more than collective identity, warning against betraying one's inner self.

In simple terms: Self‑integrity outweighs group importance.

Key Takeaway

Guard your inner truth.

Themes

integrity individualism betrayal morality

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • personal decisions
  • political movements
  • social pressure

Key Concepts

existentialism psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does betraying yourself look like?
  • How to balance personal integrity with societal expectations?
A Different Perspective

Self‑interest can conflict with collective good.

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