Deals Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
“He that fancies such a sufficiency in himself that he can live without all the world is greatly mistaken; but he that imagines himself so necessary that other people cannot live without him is a great deal more mistaken.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Maximes, 1665
Thinking you are either indispensable or irrelevant is a false dichotomy; both extremes ignore interdependence.
In simple terms: Both extremes are mistaken.
Embrace humility and recognize mutual reliance.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- leadership
- teamwork
- personal growth
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing your interdependence change your relationships?
- What risks arise from believing you are indispensable?
Overemphasis on self‑importance can blind you to collaborative value.