--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In measured doses, mortification cleanses…" description: "\"“In measured doses, mortification cleanses the soul. It's the perfect antidote for excessive self-regard.”\" — Andrew J. Bacevich" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/andrew-j-bacevich-45029_quote_in-measured-doses-mortification-cleanses_1603589.jpg" --- # In measured doses, mortification cleanses the soul. It's… ![“In measured doses, mortification cleanses the soul. It's the perfect antidote for excessive self-regard.” quote by Andrew J. Bacevich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/andrew-j-bacevich-45029_quote_in-measured-doses-mortification-cleanses_1603589.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/andrew-j-bacevich-45029_quote_in-measured-doses-mortification-cleanses_1603589.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/andrew-j-bacevich-45029_quote_in-measured-doses-mortification-cleanses_1603589.jpg) > ““In measured doses, mortification cleanses the soul. It's the perfect antidote for excessive self-regard.”” [Andrew J. Bacevich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-j-bacevich/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑criticism, when practiced moderately, purifies character and counters vanity. **In simple terms:** Moderate self‑criticism cleanses the soul and curbs pride. Key Takeaway Embrace humility through measured self‑reflection. Themes humility self‑discipline pride spirituality Mood reflective serene Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - leadership development - counseling - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology ethics self‑knowledge Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance self‑criticism with self‑compassion? - When does humility become self‑denial? A Different Perspective Excessive self‑criticism can lead to low self‑esteem or paralysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Mortification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortification/) ## Related quotes > [Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/fasting-cleanses-the-soul-raises-the-mind-subjects-one-s-flesh-to-the-2/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [I feel like I'm walking into the illustrated pages of a fairy tale when I go to the vineyard. 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Bacevich quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-j-bacevich/) ## More Mortification quotes > [Every acknowledgment of gratitude is a circumstance of humiliation; and some are found to submit to frequent mortifications of this kind, proclaiming what obligations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/every-acknowledgment-of-gratitude-is-a-circumstance-of-humiliation/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Let a man neither give himself over to pleasures ... nor yet let him give himself over to self-mortification ... 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The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/we-have-very-little-so-we-have-nothing-to-be-preoccupied-with-the/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [ It is 11 years since I have seen my figure in a glass \[mirror\]. The last reflection I saw there was so disagreeable I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/it-is-11-years-since-i-have-seen-my-figure-in-a-glass-mirror-the-last/) [Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/) [Browse all 102 Mortification quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortification/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In measured doses, mortification cleanses the soul. It's the perfect antidote for excessive self-regard.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Andrew J. 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