Common Quote by John Calvin
“Hatred grows into insolence when we desire to excel the rest of mankind and imagine we do not belong to the common lot; we even severely and haughtily despise others as our inferiors.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1559
Believing oneself superior leads to contempt for others, fostering hatred and arrogance.
In simple terms: Thinking you're better makes you hate others.
Key Takeaway
Recognize shared humanity to curb contempt.
Themes
humility
equality
pride
social harmony
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- teamwork
- community building
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Christian ethics
psychology of superiority
social cohesion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑importance affect your relationships?
- What steps can you take to see others as equals?
A Different Perspective
Such attitudes can be reinforced by cultural narratives of exceptionalism.
![“Your sect [the Jews] by its sufferings has furnished a remarkable proof of the universal point of religious insolence, inherent in every sect, disclaimed by all while feeble and practised by all when in power. Our laws have applied the only antidote to this vice, protecting our religions, as they…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/29c/thomas-jefferson-43_antidote_your-sect-the-jews-by-its-sufferings-has_433645.jpg)
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
