--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But to such a man as Schopenhauer,—one…" description: "\"“But to such a man as Schopenhauer,—one who considered five sixths of the population to be knaves or blockheads, and who had thought out a system for t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3d/edgar-saltus-39103_respect_but-to-such-a-man-as-schopenhauer-one-wh_613828.jpg" --- # But to such a man as Schopenhauer,—one who considered five… ![“But to such a man as Schopenhauer,—one who considered five sixths of the population to be knaves or blockheads, and who had thought out a system for the remaining fraction,—to such a man as he, the question of esteem, or the lack thereof, was of small consequence. He cared nothing for the…” quote by Edgar Saltus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3d/edgar-saltus-39103_respect_but-to-such-a-man-as-schopenhauer-one-wh_613828.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3d/edgar-saltus-39103_respect_but-to-such-a-man-as-schopenhauer-one-wh_613828.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3d/edgar-saltus-39103_respect_but-to-such-a-man-as-schopenhauer-one-wh_613828.jpg) > ““But to such a man as Schopenhauer,—one who considered five sixths of the population to be knaves or blockheads, and who had thought out a system for the remaining fraction,—to such a man as he, the question of esteem, or the lack thereof, was of small consequence. He cared nothing for the existence which he led in the minds of other people. To his own self he was true, to the calling of his destiny constant, and he felt that he could sit and snap his fingers at the world, knowing that Time, who is at least a gentleman, would bring him his due unasked.”” [Edgar Saltus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-saltus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Schopenhauer dismissed most people as unworthy, yet he remained true to himself, trusting that time would reward his authenticity despite societal disdain. **In simple terms:** He ignored others' opinions, staying authentic, trusting time to vindicate him. Key Takeaway Stay authentic and trust time’s justice. Themes authenticity individualism philosophy time ego Mood introspective serene Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal integrity - creative work - leadership - public criticism Key Concepts existentialism self‑reliance moral integrity Questions to Reflect On - What does authenticity mean to you? - Can you balance self‑trust with social responsibility? A Different Perspective His disdain for others may limit collaboration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cared Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cared-existence-4980232/) [Man Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-schopenhauer-4980229/) [Question Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-esteem-4980231/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schopenhauer/) [Schopenhauer Considered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schopenhauer-considered-4980230/) ## Related quotes > [The brain, Schopenhauer says, is the 'one great tool' that has enabled a creature endowed with neither sharp teeth nor claws to survive in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-young/the-brain-schopenhauer-says-is-the-one-great-tool-that-has-enabled-a/) [Julian Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-young/) > [Mann was profoundly influenced by two philosophers, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, who returned to the most ancient of all philosophical questions - "How to live?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-kitcher/mann-was-profoundly-influenced-by-two-philosophers-schopenhauer-and/) [Philip Kitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-kitcher/) > [“I bear within me the seed, the rudiments, the possibility of life's capacities and endeavors. 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Schopenhauer’s saying, ‘A man can do what he wants, but not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-do-not-at-all-believe-in-human-freedom-in-the-philosophical-sense/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Life was indeed cruel; but it was better to glorify the Will than deny it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/life-was-indeed-cruel-but-it-was-better-to-glorify-the-will-than-deny/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [It's as if, for Schopenhauer and perhaps Kant, the mind is there up and running, equipped with its categories and concepts that it then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-e-cooper/it-s-as-if-for-schopenhauer-and-perhaps-kant-the-mind-is-there-up-and/) [David E. 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Although it is our essence, it strikes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-janaway/the-will-has-no-overall-purpose-aims-at-no-highest-good-and-can-never/) [Christopher Janaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-janaway/) > [“Intellectualism—the conception of man as above all a thinking animal, consciously adapting means to rationally chosen ends—fell sick with Rousseau, took to its bed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-durant/intellectualism-the-conception-of-man-as-above-all-a-thinking-animal/) [Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-durant/) > [“In the second Unzeitgemäße Betrachtung Nietzsche speaks about “individuals who form a kind of bridge over the wild stream of becoming” and live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-meier/in-the-second-unzeitgema-e-betrachtung-nietzsche-speaks-about/) [Heinrich Meier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-meier/) > [Schopenhauer's thought that Will is insatiable, that once satisfied in one form it must be expressed in new desires, is inherited both by Mann…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-kitcher/schopenhauer-s-thought-that-will-is-insatiable-that-once-satisfied-in/) [Philip Kitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-kitcher/) ## More by Edgar Saltus > [“Briefly, then, life, to the pessimist, is a motiveless desire, a constant pain and continued struggle, followed by death, and so on, in secula…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-saltus/briefly-then-life-to-the-pessimist-is-a-motiveless-desire-a-constant/) [Edgar Saltus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-saltus/) > [Men hate to be misunderstood, and to be understood makes them furious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-saltus/men-hate-to-be-misunderstood-and-to-be-understood-makes-them-furious/) [Edgar Saltus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-saltus/) > [A plain woman is one who, however beautiful, neglects to charm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-saltus/a-plain-woman-is-one-who-however-beautiful-neglects-to-charm/) [Edgar Saltus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-saltus/) > [I wrote The Philosophy of Disenchantment, which is, I think, the gloomiest and worst book ever published. 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