--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self-restraint is indulgence of the…" description: "\"Self-restraint is indulgence of the propensity to forgo.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/ambrose-bierce-140_indulgence_self-restraint-is-indulgence-of-the-prop_1224123.jpg" --- # Self-restraint is indulgence of the propensity to forgo. ![“Self-restraint is indulgence of the propensity to forgo.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/ambrose-bierce-140_indulgence_self-restraint-is-indulgence-of-the-prop_1224123.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/ambrose-bierce-140_indulgence_self-restraint-is-indulgence-of-the-prop_1224123.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/ambrose-bierce-140_indulgence_self-restraint-is-indulgence-of-the-prop_1224123.jpg) > “Self-restraint is indulgence of the propensity to forgo.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self-restraint is a form of indulgence that satisfies the desire to deny oneself. **In simple terms:** Denial can be a kind of pleasure. Key Takeaway Recognize when restraint becomes self‑deception. Themes self‑control indulgence psychology Mood reflective critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - personal habits - dieting - budgeting - addiction recovery Key Concepts Stoicism cognitive dissonance Questions to Reflect On - Do you use restraint to avoid discomfort? - When does restraint become harmful? A Different Perspective It may mask avoidance of deeper needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Indulgence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indulgence/) [Indulgence Propensity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indulgence-propensity-1659890/) [Propensity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propensity/) [Restraint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restraint/) [Restraint Indulgence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restraint-indulgence-3760121/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self restraint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-restraint/) ## Related quotes > [Self-denial is indulgence of a propensity to forego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/self-denial-is-indulgence-of-a-propensity-to-forego/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Members of royal families are born into a world of indulgence and entitlement, and the princelings who grow up that way may never have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-kluger/members-of-royal-families-are-born-into-a-world-of-indulgence-and/) [Jeffrey Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-kluger/) > [“Common man's patience will bring him more happiness than common man's power.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/common-man-s-patience-will-bring-him-more-happiness-than-common-man-s/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [There is always a limit to self-indulgence, but none to self-restraint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/there-is-always-a-limit-to-self-indulgence-but-none-to-self-restraint/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Remember that there is always a limit to self-indulgence, but none to self-restraint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/remember-that-there-is-always-a-limit-to-self-indulgence-but-none-to/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [The divine within you is stronger than anything that is without you. 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It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-lynn/you-have-no-idea-how-hard-it-is-for-me-not-to-grab-you-and-throw-you/) [Michelle Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-lynn/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. 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Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Indulgence quotes > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [Beware of self-indulgence. 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