--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By breaking down our sense of…" description: "\"By breaking down our sense of self-importance, all we lose is a parasite that has long infected our minds. What we gain in return is freedom, openness ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/matthieu-ricard-4004_altruism_by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-impor_1015774.jpg" --- # By breaking down our sense of self-importance, all we lose… ![“By breaking down our sense of self-importance, all we lose is a parasite that has long infected our minds. What we gain in return is freedom, openness of mind, spontaneity, simplicity, altruism: all qualities inherent in happiness.” quote by Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/matthieu-ricard-4004_altruism_by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-impor_1015774.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/matthieu-ricard-4004_altruism_by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-impor_1015774.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/matthieu-ricard-4004_altruism_by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-impor_1015774.jpg) > “By breaking down our sense of self-importance, all we lose is a parasite that has long infected our minds. What we gain in return is freedom, openness of mind, spontaneity, simplicity, altruism: all qualities inherent in happiness.” [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Letting go of ego reduces mental parasites, freeing the mind to experience happiness through simplicity and altruism. **In simple terms:** Dropping ego brings freedom and joy. Key Takeaway Practice humility to foster openness. Themes ego freedom happiness altruism simplicity Mood calm hopeful Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - Meditation practice - conflict resolution - volunteering - creative problem solving Key Concepts Buddhism psychology mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of self-importance hinder you? - How can humility improve relationships? A Different Perspective Ego can be protective in dangerous contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Altruism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) [Breaking down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breaking-down/) [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Gains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gains/) [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Importance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/importance/) [Importance Lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/importance-lose-2234289/) [Inherent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inherent/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Lose Parasite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lose-parasite-2234287/) [Loses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loses/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mindfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindfulness/) [Openness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openness/) [Openness Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openness-mind-2234286/) [Parasites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parasites/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Qualities Inherent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/qualities-inherent-2234288/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/return/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self importance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-importance/) [Sense of self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-self/) [Simplicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simplicity/) [Spontaneity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spontaneity/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [If you never assume importance, you never lose it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-never-assume-importance-you-never-lose-it/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The classroom, with all its limitations, remains a location of possibility. In that field of possibility we have the opportunity to labor for freedom,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-classroom-with-all-its-limitations-remains-a-location-of/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“The mental framework that makes science enjoyable is accessible to everyone. It involves curiosity, careful observation, a disciplined way of recording events, and finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/the-mental-framework-that-makes-science-enjoyable-is-accessible-to/) [Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/) > [Openness of mind strengthens the truth in us and removes the dross from it, if there is any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/openness-of-mind-strengthens-the-truth-in-us-and-removes-the-dross/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [If you don’t try to stop whatever is going on in your mind, but merely observe it, eventually you’ll begin to feel a tremendous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yongey-mingyur-rinpoche/if-you-don-t-try-to-stop-whatever-is-going-on-in-your-mind-but-merely/) [Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yongey-mingyur-rinpoche/) > [Humility does not mean believing oneself to be inferior, but to be freed from self-importance. It is a state of natural simplicity which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/humility-does-not-mean-believing-oneself-to-be-inferior-but-to-be/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [ A lawyer’s either a social engineer or … a parasite on society … A social engineer \[is\] a highly skilled, perceptive, sensitive lawyer who… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hamilton-houston/a-lawyer-s-either-a-social-engineer-or-a-parasite-on-society-a-social/) [Charles Hamilton Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hamilton-houston/) > [Every club has three types: fans, parasites and people who work their bollocks off, even ladies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-bates/every-club-has-three-types-fans-parasites-and-people-who-work-their/) [Ken Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-bates/) > [Lacking its own ingenuity, the parasite fears the visionary. What it cannot plagiarize, it seeks to censor. What it cannot regulate, it seeks to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ryan/lacking-its-own-ingenuity-the-parasite-fears-the-visionary-what-it/) [Andrew Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ryan/) > [“Lankester’s mistake didn’t stem simply from a loathing for all parasites;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lankester-s-mistake-didn-t-stem-simply-from-a-loathing-for-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I get a great laugh from artists who ridicule the critics as parasites and artists manqués — sucha horrible joke. I can’t imagine a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-farber/i-get-a-great-laugh-from-artists-who-ridicule-the-critics-as/) [Manny Farber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-farber/) > [We need to take a leaf out of natures book. Any species that clones itself will eventually be attacked by a parasite, leading to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-suarez/we-need-to-take-a-leaf-out-of-natures-book-any-species-that-clones/) [Daniel Suarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-suarez/) > [ If \[people\] place such things as friendship and family ties above their own productive work, yes, then they are immoral. Friendship, family life and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/if-people-place-such-things-as-friendship-and-family-ties-above-their/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [The word relationship best refers to the connection between parasite and host, or shark and remora. It's a biological term. I'd rather be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-shoales/the-word-relationship-best-refers-to-the-connection-between-parasite/) [Ian Shoales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-shoales/) > [I have a real low tolerance for parasites, and you're so close to the limit that I'm already reaching for the flea powder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-howard/i-have-a-real-low-tolerance-for-parasites-and-you-re-so-close-to-the/) [Linda Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-howard/) ## More by Matthieu Ricard > [Whatever you train, you change your brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/whatever-you-train-you-change-your-brain/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [“I think what everyone should be doing, before it's too late, is committing themselves to what they really want to do with their lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/i-think-what-everyone-should-be-doing-before-it-s-too-late-is/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [Happiness is a state of inner fulfillment, not the gratification of inexhaustible desires for outward things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/happiness-is-a-state-of-inner-fulfillment-not-the-gratification-of/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [At each point in our lives, we are at a crossroads. We are the fruit of our past and we are the architects of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/at-each-point-in-our-lives-we-are-at-a-crossroads-we-are-the-fruit-of/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [I don't often get into a bad mood, since it does not help anything and clouds my judgment, but I can certainly see that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/i-don-t-often-get-into-a-bad-mood-since-it-does-not-help-anything-and/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [Happiness can’t be reduced to a few agreeable sensations. Rather, it is a way of being and of experiencing the world—a profound fulfillment that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/happiness-can-t-be-reduced-to-a-few-agreeable-sensations-rather-it-is/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [Peace is not weak. Standing up to a tank is harder than dropping a suicide bomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/peace-is-not-weak-standing-up-to-a-tank-is-harder-than-dropping-a/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [Good and evil exist only in terms of the happiness or suffering they create in ourselves and others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/good-and-evil-exist-only-in-terms-of-the-happiness-or-suffering-they/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [Authentic happiness is not linked to an activity, it is a state of being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/authentic-happiness-is-not-linked-to-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [ When you see those in healthcare who don't get this burn-out, they are very motherly, fatherly, or loving and attentive with the patients. \[These\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/when-you-see-those-in-healthcare-who-don-t-get-this-burn-out-they-are/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [Although the optimist may be a little giddy when foreseeing the future, telling himself that it will all work out in the end when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/although-the-optimist-may-be-a-little-giddy-when-foreseeing-the/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [“There is a possibility for change because all emotions are fleeting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/there-is-a-possibility-for-change-because-all-emotions-are-fleeting/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [When faced with adverse circumstances, if you can do something, do it and there is not need to worry. If you can't do anything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/when-faced-with-adverse-circumstances-if-you-can-do-something-do-it/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [“The only ‘failure’ of quantum theory is its inability to provide a natural framework for our prejudices.”1”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/the-only-failure-of-quantum-theory-is-its-inability-to-provide-a/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) > [The mind is malleable. Our life can be greatly transformed by even a minimal change in how we manage our thoughts and perceive and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/the-mind-is-malleable-our-life-can-be-greatly-transformed-by-even-a/) [Matthieu Ricard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) [Explore all 108 Matthieu Ricard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/) ## More Altruism quotes > [“It takes a female to have a baby, It takes a woman to raise a child, It takes a mother to raise them correctly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-takes-a-female-to-have-a-baby-it-takes-a-woman-to-raise-a-child-it/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Some of our friends are our friends only because we used to be friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-of-our-friends-are-our-friends-only-because-we-used-to-be-friends/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“...True classical dropouts in society are those who avoid difficult challenges and cling to the first opportunity that comes their way. They never test…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/true-classical-dropouts-in-society-are-those-who-avoid-difficult/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Take a stand that reflects the widest horizons of your soul if you don’t want to be a slave to external powers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/take-a-stand-that-reflects-the-widest-horizons-of-your-soul-if-you/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [One of the great issues in biology is the origin of altruism - of why you would do something for someone else that could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabella-rossellini/one-of-the-great-issues-in-biology-is-the-origin-of-altruism-of-why/) [Isabella Rossellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabella-rossellini/) > [How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/how-selfish-soever-man-may-be-supposed-there-are-evidently-some/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [Restoration ecology is experimental science, a science of love and altruism. In its attempts to reverse the processes of ecosystem degradation it runs exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-mills/restoration-ecology-is-experimental-science-a-science-of-love-and/) [Stephanie Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-mills/) > [“...of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of 'altruism' is the worst. People do what they want to do, every time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/of-all-the-nonsense-that-twists-the-world-the-concept-of-altruism-is/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [“Only a fool would find happiness from an achievement that is detrimental to those he loves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/only-a-fool-would-find-happiness-from-an-achievement-that-is/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cordell-hull/never-insult-an-alligator-until-after-you-have-crossed-the-river/) [Cordell Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cordell-hull/) > [“…the purpose of life is to nurture joy, which involves those aspects of humanity that enrich the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/the-purpose-of-life-is-to-nurture-joy-which-involves-those-aspects-of/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Whatever they say about it, but being altruistic is not so simple for everyone. Not to look and sound like despotism, altruism must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-biyuts/whatever-they-say-about-it-but-being-altruistic-is-not-so-simple-for/) [Lara Biyuts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-biyuts/) > [Effective altruism is the form of altruism in which we bring our rational capacities to bear in order to do the most good that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/effective-altruism-is-the-form-of-altruism-in-which-we-bring-our/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“Societies and people that come close to being happy are those that do well in narrowing the disparity between their desires and their needs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/societies-and-people-that-come-close-to-being-happy-are-those-that-do/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Most of the truly kind people of this world show some measure of discomfort when offered kindness. Their gratitude stems not only from their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/most-of-the-truly-kind-people-of-this-world-show-some-measure-of/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) [Browse all 419 Altruism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "By breaking down our sense of self-importance, all we lose is a parasite that has long infected our minds. What we gain in return is freedom, openness of mind, spontaneity, simplicity, altruism: all qualities inherent in happiness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Matthieu Ricard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-importance-all-we-lose-is-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Altruism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-importance-all-we-lose-is-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/matthieu-ricard-4004_altruism_by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-impor_1015774.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/matthieu-ricard-4004_altruism_by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-impor_1015774.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bd/matthieu-ricard-4004_altruism_by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-impor_1015774.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“By breaking down our sense of self-importance, all we lose is a parasite that has long infected our minds…” — Matthieu Ricard", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Matthieu Ricard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthieu-ricard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "By breaking down our sense of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-importance-all-we-lose-is-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthieu-ricard/by-breaking-down-our-sense-of-self-importance-all-we-lose-is-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```