Passion Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““... self-sacrifice is a passion so overwhelming that beside it even lust and hunger are trifling. It whirls its victim to destruction in the highest affirmation of his personality. The object doesn't matter; it may be worthwhile or it may be worthless. No wine is so intoxicating, no love so shattering, no vice so compelling. When he sacrifices himself man for a moment is greater than God, for how can God, infinite and omnipotent, sacrifice himself? At best he can only sacrifice his only begotten son.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Razor's Edge, 1944
Self‑sacrifice can dominate a person, eclipsing basic needs, yet its value is ambiguous.
In simple terms: Self‑sacrifice can be all‑consuming.
Key Takeaway
Weigh the cost of extreme sacrifice.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
spirituality
identity
purpose
Mood
conflicted
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- religious devotion
- political activism
- personal crises
- artistic creation
- heroic narratives
Key Concepts
self‑denial
ego
divine comparison
meaning
existence
Questions to Reflect On
- When does sacrifice become self‑destruction?
- Can sacrifice be truly noble?
A Different Perspective
Extreme sacrifice may harm the self and others; balance is needed.
