Egoism Quote by Vladimir Solovyov
““There is only one power which can from within undermine egoism at the root, and really does undermine it, namely love, and chiefly sexual love. The falsehood and evil of egoism consists in the exclusive acknowledgement of absolute significance for oneself and in the denial of it for others. Reason shows us that this is unfounded and unjust, but simply by the facts love directly abrogates such an unjust relation, compelling us not by abstract consciousness, but by an internal emotion and the will of life to recognize for ourselves the absolute significance of another. Recognizing in love the truth of another, not abstractly, but essentially, transferring in deed the centre of our life beyond the limits of our empirical personality, we by so doing reveal and realize our own real truth, our own absolute significance, which consists just in our capacity to transcend the borders of our factual phenomenal being, in our capacity to live not only in ourselves, but also in another.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Axiology of Love, Vladimir Solovyov, 1905
Love, especially sexual love, undermines egoism by recognizing the inherent value of others, transcending self‑centeredness and revealing our true significance through relational existence.
In simple terms: Love counters selfishness by valuing others.
Let love guide your sense of worth.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- community building
- conflict resolution
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can love reshape your view of others?
- What actions embody love beyond feeling?
Love alone may not change entrenched self‑interest without conscious effort.