--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As for despair, it comes about when I…" description: "\"As for despair, it comes about when I have been a fool and hate myself and despair of my personality. I am prone to gloom, but not depression as such.\"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/alain-de-botton-221_about_as-for-despair-it-comes-about-when-i-hav_1622223.jpg" --- # As for despair, it comes about when I have been a fool and… ![“As for despair, it comes about when I have been a fool and hate myself and despair of my personality. I am prone to gloom, but not depression as such.” quote by Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/alain-de-botton-221_about_as-for-despair-it-comes-about-when-i-hav_1622223.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/alain-de-botton-221_about_as-for-despair-it-comes-about-when-i-hav_1622223.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/alain-de-botton-221_about_as-for-despair-it-comes-about-when-i-hav_1622223.jpg) > “As for despair, it comes about when I have been a fool and hate myself and despair of my personality. I am prone to gloom, but not depression as such.” [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Despair arises from self‑criticism and self‑hate, distinct from clinical depression. **In simple terms:** Self‑hate leads to despair, not depression. Key Takeaway Address self‑criticism to reduce despair. Themes psychology self‑esteem emotions mental health philosophy Mood thoughtful introspective hopeful Type philosophical psychological self‑help When to use this quote - therapy - self‑help - personal reflection Key Concepts self‑identity cognitive distortion emotional regulation Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your self‑criticism? - How can you practice self‑compassion? A Different Perspective Despair can be mitigated by reframing self‑perception. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) [Been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/been/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) [Despair Personality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair-personality-288109/) [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Gloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gloom/) [Gloom Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gloom-depression-288110/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Hate Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate-despair-288111/) [Hate myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate-myself/) [I am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [Personality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personality/) [Prone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prone/) [Prone Gloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prone-gloom-288112/) [Sad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sad/) ## Related quotes > [It is so often true that whether a person carries with him an atmosphere of gloom and depression or one of confidence and courage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-keller/it-is-so-often-true-that-whether-a-person-carries-with-him-an/) [James Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-keller/) > [“single woman prone to gloom because of her biochemistry would not necessarily become happier if she were to hook up with a husband.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/single-woman-prone-to-gloom-because-of-her-biochemistry-would-not/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [To one's enemies: "I hate myself more than you ever could.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/to-one-s-enemies-i-hate-myself-more-than-you-ever-could/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [Man is the only animal who is prone to insanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-wilson/man-is-the-only-animal-who-is-prone-to-insanity/) [Colin Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-wilson/) > [I'm as prone to 'declinism' as the next over-mortgaged middle-aged guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ignatius/i-m-as-prone-to-declinism-as-the-next-over-mortgaged-middle-aged-guy/) [David Ignatius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ignatius/) > [I have one of those bodies that is just a little more injury-prone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-keys/i-have-one-of-those-bodies-that-is-just-a-little-more-injury-prone/) [Madison Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-keys/) > [I'm much more prone to feeling down a lot. 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