Ancestry Quote by James Russell Lowell
“Pride of origin, whether high or low, springs from the same principle in human nature; one is but the positive, the other the negative, pole of a single weakness.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Spirit of the Age", 1845
Human nature contains both pride and shame as two sides of the same flaw; the desire for esteem can lead to both noble and ignoble actions.
In simple terms: Pride and shame stem from the same weakness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the root of pride to temper it.
Themes
pride
humility
human nature
psychology
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal ambition
- public reputation
- leadership
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
dualism
ethical self‑reflection
moral psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your sense of pride?
- Can shame be constructive?
A Different Perspective
The statement may oversimplify complex motivations, ignoring positive aspects of pride.
![“[B]ut in literature, it should be remembered, a thing always becomes his at last who says it best, and thus makes it his own.” quote by James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4fa/james-russell-lowell-561_books_b-ut-in-literature-it-should-be-remember_55085.jpg)
