---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you could press a button and your ego…"
description: "\"If you could press a button and your ego investment was less, the toothache would be less. Or less tragic at least.\" — George Saunders"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/george-saunders-317_buttons_if-you-could-press-a-button-and-your-ego_2463660.jpg"
---

#  If you could press a button and your ego investment was…

![“If you could press a button and your ego investment was less, the toothache would be less. Or less tragic at least.” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/george-saunders-317_buttons_if-you-could-press-a-button-and-your-ego_2463660.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/george-saunders-317_buttons_if-you-could-press-a-button-and-your-ego_2463660.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/george-saunders-317_buttons_if-you-could-press-a-button-and-your-ego_2463660.jpg)

> “If you could press a button and your ego investment was less, the toothache would be less. Or less tragic at least.”

[George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Reducing personal ego less the pain of setbacks, making them feel less catastrophic.

**In simple terms:** Less ego means less suffering.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate humility to lessen pain.

Themes

ego pain humility

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal setbacks
- conflict
- stress management

Key Concepts

psychology self-awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- How does ego affect your perception of pain?
- Can humility replace other coping strategies?

A Different Perspective

Ego reduction alone may not solve underlying problems.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Investment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investment/) [Toothache](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toothache/) [Tragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragic/)

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