--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a word, the Self has two qualities: it…" description: "\"“In a word, the Self has two qualities: it is unjust in itself since it makes itself the centre of everything; it is inconvenient to others since it wo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa1/blaise-pascal-167_identity_in-a-word-the-self-has-two-qualities-it_2105696.jpg" --- # In a word, the Self has two qualities: it is unjust in… ![“In a word, the Self has two qualities: it is unjust in itself since it makes itself the centre of everything; it is inconvenient to others since it would enslave them; for each self is the enemy, and would like to be the tyrant of all others. You take away its inconvenience, but not its injustice…” quote by Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa1/blaise-pascal-167_identity_in-a-word-the-self-has-two-qualities-it_2105696.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa1/blaise-pascal-167_identity_in-a-word-the-self-has-two-qualities-it_2105696.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa1/blaise-pascal-167_identity_in-a-word-the-self-has-two-qualities-it_2105696.jpg) > ““In a word, the Self has two qualities: it is unjust in itself since it makes itself the centre of everything; it is inconvenient to others since it would enslave them; for each self is the enemy, and would like to be the tyrant of all others. You take away its inconvenience, but not its injustice, and so you do not render it lovable to those who hate injustice; you render it lovable only to the unjust, who do not any longer find in it an enemy. And thus you remain unjust, and can please only the unjust”” [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The self-centered nature is inherently unjust and inconvenient, pleasing only the unjust and alienating the just. **In simple terms:** Selfishness is unfair and burdens others, aligning with the unjust. Key Takeaway Cultivate selflessness. Themes ethics self justice Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal relationships - political leadership - social movements Key Concepts moral philosophy egoism altruism Questions to Reflect On - Can one love without selfish motives? - How do we balance self-interest and communal good? A Different Perspective Self-transcendence is challenging and may conflict with personal desire. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enslave Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enslave-self-4227912/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Qualities Unjust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/qualities-unjust-4227910/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Qualities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-qualities-4227911/) [Word Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-self-549368/) ## Related quotes > [I dislike the word 'self-help.' Self-awareness, yes, but not self-help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/i-dislike-the-word-self-help-self-awareness-yes-but-not-self-help/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“Discipline" is a difficult word for most of us. 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