Contempt Quote by Ayn Rand
““What I feel for you is contempt. But it's nothing, compared to the contempt I feel for myself. I don't love you. I've never loved anyone. I wanted you from the first moment I saw you. I wanted you as one wants a whore - for the same reason and purpose. I spent two years damning myself, because I thought you were above a desire of this kind. You're not. You're as vile an animal as I am. I should loathe my discovering it. I don't. Yesterday, I would have killed anyone who'd tell me that you were capable of doing what I've had you do. Today, I would give my life not to let it be otherwise. Not to have you be anything but the bitch you are. All the greatness that I saw in you - I would not take it in exchange for the obscenity of your talent at an animal's sensation of pleasure. We were two great beings, you and I, proud of our strength, weren't we? Well this is all that's left of us - and I want no self-deception about it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand, 1957
Self‑contempt and desire clash, leading to a destructive love that dehumanizes both parties.
In simple terms: Self‑hate fuels a twisted love.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when self‑destruction masquerades as love.
Themes
love
self‑contempt
destruction
Mood
dark
intense
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- therapy
- relationship breakdown
- self‑help
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
nihilism
ego
masochism
Questions to Reflect On
- Can love exist without self‑respect?
- How does self‑hatred shape desire?
A Different Perspective
The monologue glorifies toxic dynamics.
![“I occasionally feel contempt for that attitude [degree of sexual desire towards me] when I perceive it, but maybe that's not fair. By our culture we've been taught who is most valued and who is not.” quote by Cris Mazza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b3c/cris-mazza-31701_attitude_i-occasionally-feel-contempt-for-that-at_489276.jpg)
![“Every person of any rank in the left, from voter on up to cabinet member to elected official in the Democrat Party, has contempt. We [Republicans] are the number one enemy. And they will put aside whatever differences they have.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08a/rush-limbaugh-28_cabinets_every-person-of-any-rank-in-the-left-fro_29974.jpg){kind=icon}