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When all is summed up, a man never speaks of himself…

“When all is summed up, a man never speaks of himself without loss; his accusations of himself are always believed; his praises never.” quote by Michel de Montaigne
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“When all is summed up, a man never speaks of himself without loss; his accusations of himself are always believed; his praises never.”

Michel de Montaigne

About This Quote

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

People tend to be harsher on themselves than on others, trusting their own self‑criticism more than their self‑praise.

In simple terms: Self‑criticism outweighs self‑praise.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and balance self‑judgment.

Themes

self‑awareness humility psychology

Mood

introspective thoughtful

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • therapy
  • coaching
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

self‑perception cognitive bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you evaluate your own actions compared to others?
  • What steps can you take to give yourself credit?
A Different Perspective

Self‑judgment can become paralyzing if unchecked.

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