... self-sacrifice is a passion so overwhelming that…
““... self-sacrifice is a passion so overwhelming that beside it even lust and hunger are trifling. It whirls its victim to destruction in the highest affirmation of his personality. The object doesn't matter; it may be worthwhile or it may be worthless. No wine is so intoxicating, no love so shattering, no vice so compelling. When he sacrifices himself man for a moment is greater than God, for how can God, infinite and omnipotent, sacrifice himself? At best he can only sacrifice his only begotten son.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Self‑sacrifice can dominate a person, eclipsing basic needs, yet its value is ambiguous.
In simple terms: Self‑sacrifice can be all‑consuming.
Key Takeaway
Weigh the cost of extreme sacrifice.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
spirituality
identity
purpose
Mood
conflicted
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- religious devotion
- political activism
- personal crises
- artistic creation
- heroic narratives
Key Concepts
self‑denial
ego
divine comparison
meaning
existence
Questions to Reflect On
- When does sacrifice become self‑destruction?
- Can sacrifice be truly noble?
A Different Perspective
Extreme sacrifice may harm the self and others; balance is needed.