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Possibly, more people kill themselves and others out of hurt vanity than out of envy, jealousy, malice or desire for revenge.
Iris Murdoch
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that many acts of violence and self-harm stem from vanity rather than negative emotions like jealousy or malice.

Iris Murdoch highlights the destructive power of vanity, implying that our self-importance and obsession with how we are perceived can lead to tragic outcomes, including self-harm and harm to others. It challenges the common belief that negative emotions are the primary drivers of such actions and encourages a deeper reflection on the impact of our ego and self-image.

Themes

VanityHurtSelf-HarmPhilosophyEmotions

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about mental health, this quote can emphasize the importance of understanding the root causes of self-destructive behavior.

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