--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The root of humanly caused evil is not…" description: "\"The root of humanly caused evil is not man's animal nature, not territorial aggression, or innate selfishness, but our need to gain self-esteem, deny o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/sam-keen-4929_achieve_the-root-of-humanly-caused-evil-is-not-m_271048.jpg" --- # The root of humanly caused evil is not man's animal… ![“The root of humanly caused evil is not man's animal nature, not territorial aggression, or innate selfishness, but our need to gain self-esteem, deny our mortality, and achieve a heroic self-image. Our desire for the best is the cause of the worst.” quote by Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/sam-keen-4929_achieve_the-root-of-humanly-caused-evil-is-not-m_271048.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/sam-keen-4929_achieve_the-root-of-humanly-caused-evil-is-not-m_271048.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/sam-keen-4929_achieve_the-root-of-humanly-caused-evil-is-not-m_271048.jpg) > “The root of humanly caused evil is not man's animal nature, not territorial aggression, or innate selfishness, but our need to gain self-esteem, deny our mortality, and achieve a heroic self-image. Our desire for the best is the cause of the worst.” [Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Evil stems from the drive for self-esteem and heroic self-image, not innate animal instincts. **In simple terms:** Evil arises from seeking self-esteem and heroism. Key Takeaway Reflect on motivations behind harmful actions. Themes psychology ethics self-esteem human nature Mood reflective critical Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal counseling - education curricula - media analysis - leadership training - conflict resolution Key Concepts identity mortality denial heroic idealism Questions to Reflect On - What drives your desire for heroism? - Can self-esteem be redirected positively? A Different Perspective Self-esteem can be constructive if balanced with humility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aggression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggression/) [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Heroic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroic/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mortality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortality/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) ## Related quotes > [“But . . . but was evil an entity at all? What caused evil? 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