Ability Quote by Friedrich Nietzsche
“For our self respect depends upon our ability to make requital, for good or for evil.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche, 1886
Self‑respect depends on the ability to respond appropriately—reward or punish—reflecting one's values and agency.
In simple terms: Respect comes from balanced retaliation.
Key Takeaway
Act with measured justice.
Themes
ethics
self‑respect
justice
agency
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- legal systems
- conflict mediation
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
reciprocity
moral responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you retaliate proportionally?
- How does retaliation affect self‑image?
A Different Perspective
May encourage vindictiveness.
![“[Religion] attacks us in our deepest integrity - the core of our self-respect. Religion says that we would not know right from wrong, we would not know an evil, wicked act from a decent human act without divine permission, without divine authority or without, even worse, either the fear of a…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ab6/christopher-hitchens-117_action_religion-attacks-us-in-our-deepest-integ_23299.jpg)
