Esteem Quote by Sheldon Solomon
““Take all the cultural trappings away and we are all just generic creatures barraged by a continuous stream of sensations, emotions, and events, buffeted by occasional waves of existential dread, until those experiences abruptly end. But in a world infused with meaning, we are so much more than that. Still, it is not enough to be equipped with our scheme of things. We humans feel fully secure only if we consider ourselves valuable contributors to that world we believe in. To this vital striving for self-esteem we now turn. CHAPTER 3 Self-esteem:””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Psychology of Self-Esteem, Sheldon Solomon, 2005
Human beings need meaning and contribution to feel secure; mere sensory existence is insufficient for self-worth.
In simple terms: We need meaning and contribution for security.
Key Takeaway
Seek roles that add value to your community.
Themes
meaning
self-esteem
existential
contribution
Mood
reflective
motivational
Type
psychological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career choices
- volunteer work
- creative projects
- personal goal setting
Key Concepts
psychology
philosophy
social identity
Questions to Reflect On
- What contributions make you feel most valued?
- How can you balance personal meaning with societal expectations?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on external validation can undermine intrinsic motivation.
![“It is always so, I guess, validating when you meet somebody that you esteem -- and then they turn out to be everything [you thought] and more.” quote by Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4f8/gloria-estefan-2160_esteem_it-is-always-so-i-guess-validating-when_251821.jpg)
