--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Up until the 20th century, traditional…" description: "\"“Up until the 20th century, traditional cultures (and this is still true of most cultures in the world) always believed that too high a view of yoursel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c56/timothy-keller-240_faith_up-until-the-20th-century-traditional-cu_2427104.jpg" --- # Up until the 20th century, traditional cultures (and this… ![“Up until the 20th century, traditional cultures (and this is still true of most cultures in the world) always believed that too high a view of yourself was the root cause of all the evil in the world...Our belief today--and it in deeply rooted in everything--is that people misbehave for lack of…” quote by Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c56/timothy-keller-240_faith_up-until-the-20th-century-traditional-cu_2427104.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c56/timothy-keller-240_faith_up-until-the-20th-century-traditional-cu_2427104.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c56/timothy-keller-240_faith_up-until-the-20th-century-traditional-cu_2427104.jpg) > ““Up until the 20th century, traditional cultures (and this is still true of most cultures in the world) always believed that too high a view of yourself was the root cause of all the evil in the world...Our belief today--and it in deeply rooted in everything--is that people misbehave for lack of self-esteem and because they have too low a view of themselves.”” [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that modern societies blame low self‑esteem for misbehavior, whereas historically cultures saw excessive self‑importance as the root of evil. **In simple terms:** Modern view blames low self‑esteem; past blamed high ego. Key Takeaway Recognize both extremes can harm behavior. Themes psychology culture ego Mood reflective critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - education - therapy - leadership - community building Key Concepts self‑esteem ego moral psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does ego affect moral choices? - Can low self‑esteem be a symptom rather than a cause? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on self‑esteem may ignore systemic factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Lack Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lack-self/) [Root cause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/root-cause/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Self help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-help/) [Traditional Cultures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traditional-cultures-231945/) [World Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-belief-231946/) ## Related quotes > [The reduction of the earth to an object simply for human's use/ possession is unthinkable in most traditional cultures... the earth belongs to itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-berry/the-reduction-of-the-earth-to-an-object-simply-for-human-s-use/) [Thomas Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-berry/) > [“But traditional cultures can change, too, and more dramatically than most people realize. Preserving cultural diversity is considered a supreme virtue today, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/but-traditional-cultures-can-change-too-and-more-dramatically-than/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [“To leave the comforts of home, the mother world, one must have some place to go. Admittedly, the rites of passage of traditional cultures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hollis/to-leave-the-comforts-of-home-the-mother-world-one-must-have-some/) [James Hollis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hollis/) > [“ . . . Because of a lack of self-confidence and an inability to function independently . . .” It may be easier to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/because-of-a-lack-of-self-confidence-and-an-inability-to-function/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [Perhaps one of the main antidotes to depression, lack of self-esteem, loneliness and so forth is the recognition that we really do have Buddha…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/perhaps-one-of-the-main-antidotes-to-depression-lack-of-self-esteem/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [lack of self-esteem is what causes wars because people who really love themselves don't go out and try to fight other people ... It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/lack-of-self-esteem-is-what-causes-wars-because-people-who-really/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I'm still trying to express my truth, my place in the world, my belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-m-still-trying-to-express-my-truth-my-place-in-the-world-my-belief/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [He is dead in this world who has no belief in another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/he-is-dead-in-this-world-who-has-no-belief-in-another/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Positive belief in yourself will give you the energy needed to conquer the world and this belief is the power behind all creation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/positive-belief-in-yourself-will-give-you-the-energy-needed-to/) [Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/) > [Belief is reassuring. People who live in the world of belief feel safe. On the contrary, faith is forever placing us on the razor's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/belief-is-reassuring-people-who-live-in-the-world-of-belief-feel-safe/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [Religion is a belief in supernatural entities or forces that have an effect on the natural world - A belief in forces that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-christina/religion-is-a-belief-in-supernatural-entities-or-forces-that-have-an/) [Greta Christina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-christina/) > [It was Christianity which first painted the devil on the worlds walls; It was Christianity which first brought sin into the world. Belief in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-was-christianity-which-first-painted-the-devil-on-the-worlds-walls/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Faith is the means by which we are able to see this invisible world.That is belief's true function.Faith is to the spiritual realm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianette-carbito/faith-is-the-means-by-which-we-are-able-to-see-this-invisible-world/) [Marianette Carbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianette-carbito/) > [The starting point for a better world is the belief that it is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-starting-point-for-a-better-world-is-the-belief-that-it-is/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [The start to a better world is the belief that it is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-tomlin/the-start-to-a-better-world-is-the-belief-that-it-is-possible/) [Lily Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-tomlin/) ## More by Timothy Keller > [If you are trying to live a life in accordance with the Bible, the concept and call to justice are inescapable. We do justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-are-trying-to-live-a-life-in-accordance-with-the-bible-the/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [The more you rejoice in your own forgiveness, the quicker you will be to forgive others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-more-you-rejoice-in-your-own-forgiveness-the-quicker-you-will-be/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Evangelism will come organically in friendship if we don’t let our pride, fears, and pessimism cause us to hide our faith and heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/evangelism-will-come-organically-in-friendship-if-we-don-t-let-our/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“The coming of the messianic King occurs in two stages. At his first coming, he saved us from the penalty of sin and gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-coming-of-the-messianic-king-occurs-in-two-stages-at-his-first/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [ “24 A few pages later, Delbanco writes the following: \[Alexis de\] Tocqueville’s detection of a “strange melancholy in the midst of abundance” has a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/24-a-few-pages-later-delbanco-writes-the-following-alexis-de/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“To stay away from Christianity because part of the Bible's teaching is offensive to you assumes that if there is a God he wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/to-stay-away-from-christianity-because-part-of-the-bible-s-teaching/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-the-preaching-of-our-ministers-and-the-practice-of-our/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“of temple, presence, and sacrifice; of covenant and faithfulness; of kingdom and victory. When we seek to communicate the gospel to a particular culture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/of-temple-presence-and-sacrifice-of-covenant-and-faithfulness-of/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“Finally, you are ready to launch your church. Begin by developing action steps and goals that can be used as benchmarks to track your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/finally-you-are-ready-to-launch-your-church-begin-by-developing/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If you are a child of God, you don’t lose your status if you have a bad week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-you-are-a-child-of-god-you-don-t-lose-your-status-if-you-have-a/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [God's salvation does not come in response to a changed life. A changed life comes in response to the salvation, offered as a free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/god-s-salvation-does-not-come-in-response-to-a-changed-life-a-changed/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“When anything in life is an absolute requirement for your happiness and self-worth, it is essentially an ‘idol,’ something you are actually worshiping. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/when-anything-in-life-is-an-absolute-requirement-for-your-happiness/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Suffering is the stripping of our hope in finite things, therefore we do not put our ultimate hope in anything finite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/suffering-is-the-stripping-of-our-hope-in-finite-things-therefore-we/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Christ will do everything for you or nothing. He's either all of your righteousness or none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/christ-will-do-everything-for-you-or-nothing-he-s-either-all-of-your/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [If we give God things in hope that they'll earn us blessings, we're really not doing anything for him. It's for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/if-we-give-god-things-in-hope-that-they-ll-earn-us-blessings-we-re/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) [Explore all 843 Timothy Keller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) ## More Faith quotes > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) [Riffat Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riffat-hassan/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/) [Matt Morris (1](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-morris-1/) > [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. The eternal truths of the Kingdom aren’t altered or affected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/just-because-your-faith-is-shaken-doesn-t-mean-the-faith-is-shaken/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. 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