"He that respects himself is safe from others. He wears a coat of mail that none can pierce"
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
About this Quote
This quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a tip that pride is the key to securing oneself from the viewpoints and actions of others. It suggests that when one has a strong sense of self-worth, they are less most likely to be affected by the viewpoints of others. The metaphor of a coat of mail is utilized to emphasize the strength of this security. A coat of mail is a type of armor that was utilized in middle ages times to secure its wearer from physical damage. In this context, it represents the defense that self-regard provides against the opinions and actions of others. It recommends that when one has a strong sense of self-respect, they are less most likely to be impacted by the viewpoints of others. This quote is a suggestion that self-regard is the key to safeguarding oneself from the opinions and actions of others. It motivates us to value ourselves and to be confident in our own worth, so that we can be safe from the viewpoints and actions of others.
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