"If man makes himself a worm he must not complain when he is trodden on"

Immanuel Kant’s assertion, "If man makes himself a worm he must not complain when he is trodden on", delivers a striking commentary on self-respect and personal agency. By invoking the metaphor of the worm, Kant alludes to a posture of extreme humility, self-effacement, or submissiveness to the point of abdicating one’s inherent dignity. The worm is a creature that offers no resistance, lies low, and invites disregard. To "make oneself a worm" is to voluntarily relinquish one’s capacity for self-assertion, choosing instead to bow to the will of others, even at the cost of becoming their victim.

Within Kant's moral philosophy, autonomy and self-worth are cardinal virtues. He champions the idea that each person possesses intrinsic dignity by virtue of their rational nature, and thus should not submit themselves to become mere tools or objects for others’ purposes. By adopting a meek, servile attitude, a person implicitly signals to the world that they are prepared to accept mistreatment. The logic that follows is uncomfortably pragmatic: those who surrender their self-respect, or consistently put themselves beneath others, should not be surprised if others respond by exploiting or disrespecting them. It's a warning that passive acquiescence, rather than earning protection or admiration, often invites contempt.

Kant does not advocate arrogance or aggression but urges individuals to assume responsibility for the way they present themselves, morally, socially, and psychologically. Expecting empathy or justice without defending one’s rights and dignity can become an abdication of personal responsibility. Complaining about mistreatment, in such a context, reflects a dissonance between one’s actions and expectations. The statement ultimately embodies a call to maintain one’s self-respect and to act with the fortitude that both demands and creates the conditions for mutual respect. To preserve one's dignity is not merely a personal duty, but a precondition for just relations among individuals in society.