Believe Quote by Renata Salecl
“One of the greatest gains of capitalism is that even the proletarian slave feels like a master. He believes he has the power to change his life. We are propelled by the ideology of the self-made man: we work more, we consume more and in the end we consume ourselves. The consequences are burnout, bulimia and other lifestyle diseases.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Future of the Self, Renata Salecl, 2015
Capitalism encourages belief in personal agency, leading many to overwork and self‑destruction despite systemic limits.
In simple terms: Capitalism sells self‑mastery but fuels burnout.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits, balance effort with self‑care.
Themes
capitalism
self‑identity
burnout
consumerism
Mood
anxious
critical
reflective
Type
sociological
cautionary
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- entrepreneurship
- diet culture
- social media influence
Key Concepts
alienation
ideology
self‑efficacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the self‑made narrative affect your daily choices?
- What healthier alternatives exist to the endless pursuit of consumption?
A Different Perspective
The promise of control can ignore structural constraints and health risks.
![“Emma cites the structure of the [Eating Disorder] Unit as being important to her decision to disengage from her illness, and the fact that she felt safe in it, and cared for. 'It was the first time I'd been in an environment where I felt comfortabe with all the people around me. I felt "I can be…” quote by Carol Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/419/carol-lee-39506_anorexia_emma-cites-the-structure-of-the-eating-d_45862.jpg)
![“The position of the hysterical subject is that he or she always guesses what is behind the curtain, that is why such a subject usually ends up [...] giving up on love.” quote by Renata Salecl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fb6/renata-salecl-28047_giving_the-position-of-the-hysterical-subject-i_1936567.jpg)
