--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no greater duty to the self than…" description: "\"There is no greater duty to the self than love.\" — Rex Ruthman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/rex-ruthman-56905_complicated-love_there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-tha_3021727.jpg" --- # There is no greater duty to the self than love. ![“There is no greater duty to the self than love.” quote by Rex Ruthman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/rex-ruthman-56905_complicated-love_there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-tha_3021727.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/rex-ruthman-56905_complicated-love_there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-tha_3021727.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/rex-ruthman-56905_complicated-love_there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-tha_3021727.jpg) > “There is no greater duty to the self than love.” [Rex Ruthman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ruthman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑love is the highest responsibility we have toward ourselves. **In simple terms:** Loving yourself is a top duty. Key Takeaway Prioritize self‑care and personal values. Themes self‑love duty personal responsibility Mood inspirational ethical Type personal psychology When to use this quote - self‑care routines - goal setting - boundary setting - mental health practice Key Concepts ethics psychology well‑being Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance self‑love with caring for others? - What practices nurture self‑respect? A Different Perspective Neglecting others can be seen as selfish. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Complicated love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicated-love/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Duty Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty-self-245874/) [Greater Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-duty-4781979/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Self love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-love/) ## Related quotes > [“It's a general moral principle that the more power you have over someone, the greater your duty to use that power benevolently. Well, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/it-s-a-general-moral-principle-that-the-more-power-you-have-over/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) > [A son has no greater duty, no higher good, than serving his parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sathya-sai-baba/a-son-has-no-greater-duty-no-higher-good-than-serving-his-parents/) [Sri Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sathya-sai-baba/) > [The duties are even more important than the rights; and in the long run I think that the reward is ampler and greater for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-duties-are-even-more-important-than-the-rights-and-in-the-long/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Self-development is a higher duty than self-sacrifice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/self-development-is-a-higher-duty-than-self-sacrifice/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [It is easier to do one's duty to others than to one's self. If you do your duty to others, you are considered reliable.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-szasz/it-is-easier-to-do-one-s-duty-to-others-than-to-one-s-self-if-you-do/) [Thomas Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-szasz/) > [Put it down in capital letters: SELF-DEVELOPMENT IS A HIGHER DUTY THAN SELF-SACRIFICE. The thing that most retards and militates against women’s self development…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/put-it-down-in-capital-letters-self-development-is-a-higher-duty-than/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [ “If you try to do that which is not ‘our’ duty \[the Self’s duty\], it will create interference.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/if-you-try-to-do-that-which-is-not-our-duty-the-self-s-duty-it-will/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [The first duty of a Christian, of a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ, is to deny himself. To deny oneself means to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innocent-of-alaska/the-first-duty-of-a-christian-of-a-disciple-and-follower-of-jesus/) [Innocent of Alaska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innocent-of-alaska/) > [Self-love . . . is the sole antagonist of virtue, leading us constantly by our propensities to self-gratification in violation of our moral duties to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/self-love-is-the-sole-antagonist-of-virtue-leading-us-constantly-by/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [England expects every man to do his duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horatio-nelson/england-expects-every-man-to-do-his-duty/) [Horatio Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horatio-nelson/) > [Writers and intellectuals have a duty to humanity. It is to insist that the human entity remains the primary asset in overall development; thus,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/writers-and-intellectuals-have-a-duty-to-humanity-it-is-to-insist/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-whole-duty-of-man-is-summed-up-in-obedience-to-god-s-will/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [“Duty is a done deal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/duty-is-a-done-deal/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [I'm a strange mixture of my mother's curiosity; my father, who grew up the son of the manse in a Presbyterian family, who had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/i-m-a-strange-mixture-of-my-mother-s-curiosity-my-father-who-grew-up/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) ## More by Rex Ruthman > [Exploiting differences is most interesting to the smallest of men ; unifying them most interesting to the greatest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ruthman/exploiting-differences-is-most-interesting-to-the-smallest-of-men/) [Rex Ruthman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ruthman/) > [Even facts, like leaves on the Tree of Knowledge, have their season](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ruthman/even-facts-like-leaves-on-the-tree-of-knowledge-have-their-season/) [Rex Ruthman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ruthman/) > [The difference between genius and madness is figuring out how to live in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ruthman/the-difference-between-genius-and-madness-is-figuring-out-how-to-live/) [Rex Ruthman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ruthman/) > [Indifferent lives are laid to rest under indifferent monuments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ruthman/indifferent-lives-are-laid-to-rest-under-indifferent-monuments/) [Rex Ruthman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ruthman/) > [The greatest journeys begin with an empty suitcase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ruthman/the-greatest-journeys-begin-with-an-empty-suitcase/) [Rex Ruthman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ruthman/) [Explore all 6 Rex Ruthman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ruthman/) ## More Complicated love quotes > [I Never met her,i never talked to her,but in my whole day I am either thinking about her or trying to forget her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subhananda/i-never-met-her-i-never-talked-to-her-but-in-my-whole-day-i-am-either/) [Subhananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subhananda/) > [I'm tired of looking for the perfect guy. From now on.. he can look for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-tired-of-looking-for-the-perfect-guy-from-now-on-he-can-look-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't get too attached to someone you know you can't be together with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-get-too-attached-to-someone-you-know-you-can-t-be-together-with/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [If we are meant to be, no matter what, no matter how long it takes, we will be together. So I hope that at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ely/if-we-are-meant-to-be-no-matter-what-no-matter-how-long-it-takes-we/) [Ely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ely/) > [I hate playing games. I want love where there's actual flames.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-playing-games-i-want-love-where-there-s-actual-flames/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved ,the rest is up to the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-make-someone-love-you-all-you-can-do-is-be-someone-who-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can only pretend for so long before reality hits and you realize he/she is not who you thought or what you truly want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/you-can-only-pretend-for-so-long-before-reality-hits-and-you-realize/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [If it's too hard, walk away. There are a million other people out there who won't make you feel bad!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-it-s-too-hard-walk-away-there-are-a-million-other-people-out-there/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The saddest part of love life is when you cannot live with or without the one you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-saddest-part-of-love-life-is-when-you-cannot-live-with-or-without/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Stop blaming others, whatever happens to you is nobody's fault if you get hurt because of disappointment is not the end of your life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/stop-blaming-others-whatever-happens-to-you-is-nobody-s-fault-if-you/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [Ive gotten tired of running after you, my eyes swollen from crying over you, my heart sick of loving you. But please dont tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edchelyn/ive-gotten-tired-of-running-after-you-my-eyes-swollen-from-crying/) [Edchelyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edchelyn/) > [Being in a relationship is easy.. but maintaining is tough... But keeping your partner always happy is the toughest... If u succeed in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-reghunath/being-in-a-relationship-is-easy-but-maintaining-is-tough-but-keeping/) [Rahul Reghunath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-reghunath/) > [Sometimes you have to let go of the one you love to find out if there is really something there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-you-have-to-let-go-of-the-one-you-love-to-find-out-if-there/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One song Glory One song Before I go Glory One song to leave behind Find one song One last refrain Glory From the pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rent/one-song-glory-one-song-before-i-go-glory-one-song-to-leave-behind/) [Rent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rent/) > [Have you noticed we ignore the ones that adore us, adore the ones that ignore us, love the ones that hurt us and hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-you-noticed-we-ignore-the-ones-that-adore-us-adore-the-ones-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 1,257 Complicated love quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicated-love/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no greater duty to the self than love.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rex Ruthman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ruthman/there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-than-love/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Complicated love" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ruthman/there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-than-love/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/rex-ruthman-56905_complicated-love_there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-tha_3021727.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/rex-ruthman-56905_complicated-love_there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-tha_3021727.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/rex-ruthman-56905_complicated-love_there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-tha_3021727.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is no greater duty to the self than love.” — Rex Ruthman", "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": "Rex Ruthman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ruthman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is no greater duty to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ruthman/there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-than-love/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ruthman/there-is-no-greater-duty-to-the-self-than-love/#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 } } ] } ```