---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That which especially distinguishes a…"
description: "\"That which especially distinguishes a high order of man from a low order of man, that which constitutes human goodness, human nobleness, is surely not ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f5/james-anthony-froude-4052_advantage_that-which-especially-distinguishes-a-hi_2738269.png"
---

#  That which especially distinguishes a high order of man…

![“That which especially distinguishes a high order of man from a low order of man, that which constitutes human goodness, human nobleness, is surely not the degree of enlightenment with which men pursue their own advantage; but it is self-forgetfulness; it is self-sacrifice; it is the disregard of…” quote by James Anthony Froude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f5/james-anthony-froude-4052_advantage_that-which-especially-distinguishes-a-hi_2738269.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f5/james-anthony-froude-4052_advantage_that-which-especially-distinguishes-a-hi_2738269.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f5/james-anthony-froude-4052_advantage_that-which-especially-distinguishes-a-hi_2738269.png)

> “That which especially distinguishes a high order of man from a low order of man, that which constitutes human goodness, human nobleness, is surely not the degree of enlightenment with which men pursue their own advantage; but it is self-forgetfulness; it is self-sacrifice; it is the disregard of personal pleasure, personal indulgence, personal advantage, remote or present, because some other line of conduct is more right.”

[James Anthony Froude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-anthony-froude/)

## About This Quote

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

Human goodness is not self‑interest but self‑sacrifice and disregard for personal pleasure in favor of higher conduct.

**In simple terms:** Goodness = self‑sacrifice, not self‑interest.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize altruistic values.

Themes

ethics selflessness humanity

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- volunteer work
- public service
- ethical leadership

Key Concepts

moral philosophy virtue ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- What motivates you to act beyond personal gain?
- How do you sustain altruism without resentment?

A Different Perspective

Self‑sacrifice can lead to burnout.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Forgetfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgetfulness/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self forgetfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-forgetfulness/) [Self sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-sacrifice/)

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