--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have been obsequious toward Western…" description: "\"I have been obsequious toward Western civilization, exaggerating its merits and, at the same time, exaggerating my own merits.\" — Liu Xiaobo" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24f/liu-xiaobo-13994_civilization_i-have-been-obsequious-toward-western-ci_1282131.jpg" --- # I have been obsequious toward Western civilization… ![“I have been obsequious toward Western civilization, exaggerating its merits and, at the same time, exaggerating my own merits.” quote by Liu Xiaobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24f/liu-xiaobo-13994_civilization_i-have-been-obsequious-toward-western-ci_1282131.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24f/liu-xiaobo-13994_civilization_i-have-been-obsequious-toward-western-ci_1282131.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24f/liu-xiaobo-13994_civilization_i-have-been-obsequious-toward-western-ci_1282131.jpg) > “I have been obsequious toward Western civilization, exaggerating its merits and, at the same time, exaggerating my own merits.” [Liu Xiaobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-xiaobo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He admits to both praising the West and self‑praise, revealing a conflicted self‑image and cultural bias. **In simple terms:** He overpraises the West and himself. Key Takeaway Recognize bias and seek balanced self‑assessment. Themes self‑reflection culture pride Mood reflective critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - academic discourse - personal essays - public speaking Key Concepts cognitive dissonance self‑esteem Questions to Reflect On - How does cultural admiration affect self‑identity? - Can humility improve self‑knowledge? A Different Perspective His praise may ignore Western flaws and his self‑praise may be self‑deceptive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Civilization Exaggerating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-exaggerating-4146583/) [Exaggerating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exaggerating/) [Exaggerating Merits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exaggerating-merits-4146584/) [Obsequious Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsequious-western-4146585/) [Own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/own/) [Same](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/same/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Toward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toward/) [Western civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western-civilization/) ## Related quotes > [My tendency to idealize Western civilization arises from my nationalistic desire to use the West in order to reform China. 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