Forfeit Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
“We forfeit three-quarters of ourselves in order to be like other people.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophy: The World as Will and Representation, 1818
People sacrifice much of their individuality to conform to societal expectations.
In simple terms: Conformity costs personal authenticity.
Key Takeaway
Preserve your unique self.
Themes
individuality
conformity
authenticity
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- career choices
- social media
- peer groups
- cultural norms
Key Concepts
existentialism
social pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of yourself are you willing to compromise?
- How does society reward conformity?
A Different Perspective
Conformity can also provide safety and belonging.
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
![“[Materialism] seeks the primary and most simple state of matter, and then tries to develop all the others from it; ascending from mere mechanism, to chemism, to polarity, to the vegetable and to the animal kingdom. And if we suppose this to have been done, the last link in the chain would be…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88c/arthur-schopenhauer-226_animal-kingdom_materialism-seeks-the-primary-and-most-s_50402.jpg)
