Contempt Quote by Yukio Mishima
![“[A] nation must ravage itself before foreigners can ravage it, a man must despise himself before others can despise him.” quote by Yukio Mishima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ee7/yukio-mishima-1418_contempt_a-nation-must-ravage-itself-before-forei_1325081.jpg)
““[A] nation must ravage itself before foreigners can ravage it, a man must despise himself before others can despise him.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Patriotism and Self‑Destruction, 1965
A nation must first harm itself before foreign forces can; it; similarly, self‑contempt precedes external contempt.
In simple terms: Self‑destruction precedes external oppression.
Key Takeaway
Avoid self‑destruction to prevent external domination.
Themes
nationalism
self‑esteem
power dynamics
Mood
critical
philosophical
Type
political
psychological
When to use this quote
- political movements
- personal growth
- social activism
Key Concepts
political theory
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What internal flaws weaken a society?
- How does self‑respect affect external perception?
A Different Perspective
Self‑harm can be self‑defeating.
![“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}