Despise Quote by Mencius
“A man must first despise himself, and then others will despise him.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Book of Mencius, 4th century BC
Self‑contempt leads to others’ contempt; self‑respect is foundation for mutual respect.
In simple terms: Despising yourself invites others to despise you.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate self‑respect first.
Themes
self‑respect
respect
interpersonal
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- personal development
- relationships
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Confucianism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑respect affect how others treat you?
- Can you respect yourself without external validation?
A Different Perspective
If you lack self‑respect, others may still respect you.
![“[A] nation must ravage itself before foreigners can ravage it, a man must despise himself before others can despise him.” quote by Yukio Mishima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ee7/yukio-mishima-1418_contempt_a-nation-must-ravage-itself-before-forei_1325081.jpg)
