Abstention Quote by Hannah Arendt
““[Justice] demands seclusion, it permits sorrow rather than anger, and it prescribes the most careful abstention from all the nice pleasures of putting oneself in the limelight.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Human Condition, 1958
Justice requires withdrawal from fame and restraint from indulgence, favoring modesty.
In simple terms: Justice means avoiding spotlight and excess.
Practice modesty and self‑control.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- public service
- personal ethics
- media criticism
- leadership training
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does modesty affect civic engagement?
- When is self‑expression justified?
Excessive modesty may suppress necessary self‑advocacy.