Born Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
“Since there is no one else to praise me, I will praise myself -- will say that I have never tampered with a single tooth in my thought machine, such as it is. There are teeth missing, God knows -- some I was born without, teeth that will never grow. And other teeth have been stripped by the clutchless shifts of history -- But never have I willfully destroyed a tooth on a gear of my thinking machine. Never have I said to myself, 'This fact I can do without.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut, 1963
Self-praise replaces external validation; the narrator claims integrity despite personal flaws, highlighting self-awareness and humility.
In simple terms: Self-praise shows confidence despite imperfections.
Key Takeaway
Balance self-affirmation with honest self‑assessment.
Themes
self‑esteem
humility
integrity
self‑reflection
Mood
reflective
wry
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal development
- creative writing
- public speaking
- mental health
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What parts of yourself truly need improvement?
- How does self‑praise affect your relationships?
A Different Perspective
Self‑praise may blind one to real growth needs.
![“Thomas Jefferson High School [..] His high school was named after a slave owner who was also one of the world’s greatest theoreticians on the subject of human liberty.” quote by Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73a/kurt-vonnegut-41_freedom_thomas-jefferson-high-school-his-high-sc_9727.jpg)
