Acceptance Quote by Nathaniel Branden
“The more you surrender to the fear of someone's disapproval, the more you lose face in your own eyes, and the more desperate you become for someone's approval. Within you is a void that should have been filled by self-esteem. When you attempt to fill it with the approval of others instead, the void grows deeper and the hunger for acceptance and approval grows stronger. The only solution is to summon the courage to honor your own judgment, frightening though that may be in the beginning.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Psychology of Self-Esteem, Nathaniel Branden, 1969
Relying on others' approval erodes self-worth; true confidence comes from honoring one's own judgment.
In simple terms: Seek self‑approval, not others'.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate inner confidence.
Themes
self‑esteem
approval
courage
Mood
reflective
motivational
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- leadership
- mental health
- decision making
Key Concepts
psychology
self‑validation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice self‑validation daily?
- What steps build inner courage?
A Different Perspective
Self‑approval alone may not solve external pressures.
![“When I dropped out [from a law school], everybody was disappointed... But I found that disappointing people is a good thing, because disapproval is freedom. Before that, I never realized how much I sought other people's approval. Once I figured that out, I was free to move on and seek the approval…” quote by Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1b0/demetri-martin-511_approval_when-i-dropped-out-from-a-law-school-eve_2671287.jpg)
