We must not confine Self within the poor little person…
““We must not confine Self within the poor little person called body. That is the root of the poorest and most miserable egoism. We should expand that egoism into family-egoism, then into nation-egoism, then into race-egoism, then into human-egoism, then into living-being-egoism, and lastly into universe-egoism, which is not egoism at all. Thus we deny the immortality of soul as conceived by common sense, but assume immortality of the Great Soul, which animates, vitalizes, and spiritualizes all sentient beings.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Expands self beyond personal identity to increasingly broader collectives, culminating in a universal sense of unity that transcends egoism.
In simple terms: Self expands from self to universe, rejecting narrow egoism.
Key Takeaway
Embrace broader identity beyond self.
Themes
identity
collectivism
spirituality
philosophy
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- community building
- global activism
- environmental stewardship
Key Concepts
Ego expansion
universalism
anthropocentrism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one balance personal autonomy with universal identity?
- What limits exist in expanding ego to the cosmos?
A Different Perspective
May overlook individual rights when subsuming self into larger groups.