Advantage Quote by Thomas More
““Pride measures prosperity not by her own advantages but by the disadvantages of others. She would not even wish to be a goddess unless there were some wretches left whom she could order about and lord it over, whose misery would make her happiness seem all the more extraordinary, whose poverty can be tormented and exacerbated by a display of her wealth. This infernal serpent, pervading the human heart, keeps men from reforming their lives, holding them back like a suckfish.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Utopia by Thomas More, 1516
Pride judges wealth by comparing oneself to others' suffering, needing others' misery to feel superior.
In simple terms: Pride needs others' pain to feel superior.
Key Takeaway
Avoid comparing yourself to others' misfortunes.
Themes
pride
social hierarchy
compassion
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- corporate culture
- personal relationships
- social media influence
Key Concepts
human nature
ethics
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your self-worth depend on others' struggles?
- Can you find fulfillment without comparing yourself?
A Different Perspective
Pride can be mitigated through empathy and self-awareness.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
