Contempt Quote by William Hazlitt
“The insolence of the vulgar is in proportion to their ignorance. They treat everything with contempt which they do not understand.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essays of William Hazlitt, 1825
Ignorance breeds contempt; the less one knows, the more they dismiss what they cannot grasp.
In simple terms: Ignorance leads to contempt.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect unknowns.
Themes
ignorance
contempt
humility
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
social
When to use this quote
- education
- public discourse
- interpersonal conflict
Key Concepts
Epistemology
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your own ignorance shape your judgments?
- Can you practice curiosity over contempt?
A Different Perspective
Contempt can also arise from fear, not just ignorance.
![“Every person of any rank in the left, from voter on up to cabinet member to elected official in the Democrat Party, has contempt. We [Republicans] are the number one enemy. And they will put aside whatever differences they have.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08a/rush-limbaugh-28_cabinets_every-person-of-any-rank-in-the-left-fro_29974.jpg){kind=icon}