--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Too high for common selfishness, he could…" description: "\"“Too high for common selfishness, he could At times resign his own for others’ good, But not in pity, not because he ought, But in some strange pervers..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/lord-byron-356_amorality_too-high-for-common-selfishness-he-could_3185642.jpg" --- # Too high for common selfishness, he could At times resign… ![“Too high for common selfishness, he could At times resign his own for others’ good, But not in pity, not because he ought, But in some strange perversity of thought, That swayed him onward with a secret pride To do what few or none would do beside; And this same impulse would, in tempting time…” quote by Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/lord-byron-356_amorality_too-high-for-common-selfishness-he-could_3185642.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/lord-byron-356_amorality_too-high-for-common-selfishness-he-could_3185642.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/lord-byron-356_amorality_too-high-for-common-selfishness-he-could_3185642.jpg) > ““Too high for common selfishness, he could At times resign his own for others’ good, But not in pity, not because he ought, But in some strange perversity of thought, That swayed him onward with a secret pride To do what few or none would do beside; And this same impulse would, in tempting time, Mislead his spirit equally in crime; So much he soared beyond, or sunk beneath, The men with whom he felt condemned to breathe, And longed by good or ill to separate Himself from all who shared his mortal state.”” [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A person acts selfishly, not from compassion but from a twisted pride, leading both noble deeds and crimes, feeling alienated from others. **In simple terms:** Pride drives odd actions, both good and bad, isolating the individual. Key Takeaway Recognize when pride masks motives. Themes pride isolation morality Mood conflicted introspective Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - leadership decisions - personal relationships - ethical dilemmas - creative pursuits Key Concepts psychology ethical conflict self‑interest Questions to Reflect On - What hidden pride influences your actions? - How can you balance self‑interest with communal good? A Different Perspective Pride can blind judgment and justify harmful choices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amorality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amorality/) [Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/byron/) [Common Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-selfishness-5855412/) [Felt Condemned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt-condemned-5855414/) [Men Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-felt-456494/) [Pity Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pity-ought-5855413/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Who shall heal murder?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/who-shall-heal-murder/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [“You are too quick to pledge yourself to me.’ He felt the hard, bright edges of the pin in his fist. ‘You are my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-pacat/you-are-too-quick-to-pledge-yourself-to-me-he-felt-the-hard-bright/) [C.S. 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