Stern responds to the question about what was the main…
““Stern responds to the question about what was the main obstacle he encountered in his life: I think it’s that rubbishy part of myself, that part which is described by such words as vanity, pride, the sense of not being treated as I should be, comparison with others, and so on. I’ve tried rather hard to discipline that. And I’ve been lucky that there has been enough that’s positive to enable me to counter a kind of biliousness and resentment—ressentiment—which I’ve seen paralyze colleagues of mine, peers who are more gifted than I. I’ve felt it in myself. And I’ve had to learn to counter that. I would say that the chief obstacle is—oneself.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He identifies personal vanity and comparison as major self‑obstacles, requiring self‑discipline to overcome.
In simple terms: Self‑pride and envy hinder growth.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility.
Themes
self‑awareness
personal growth
psychology
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career development
- creative work
- team collaboration
Key Concepts
vanity
comparison
resentment
Questions to Reflect On
- What triggers your own vanity?
- How can you transform resentment into motivation?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming ego can be difficult in competitive environments.