"Whoever despises himself nonetheless respects himself as one who despises"

To despise oneself is, paradoxically, an affirmation of self-regard. When an individual holds himself in contempt, a split appears within his psyche: the one who is despised and the one doing the despising. The act of self-contempt requires an inner commentator, a presence that stands apart to pass judgment on the rest of oneself. This inner judge not only observes, but interprets, evaluates, and dismisses parts of the self as unworthy or contemptible. Yet for this very reason, an elevated respect is maintained for the despising function. That part of oneself, which can rise above, appraise, and pass severe judgments, embodies traits of discernment, strength, and perhaps even righteousness.

The self-despiser's respect for his evaluative faculty sustains a hidden pride. He recognizes, consciously or not, the authority and superiority of the one within him who scorns. Even as the rest of his being is cast down, the despising self remains on a higher plane, retaining its own dignity and power. Nietzsche exposes the deep psychological complexity; to despise oneself completely is impossible, for self-contempt is only possible when a portion of one’s being is powerful enough to scorn the rest.

This dynamic touches on themes of self-division, the will to power, and the role of values in shaping the psyche. Human beings crave meaning and agency, which can assert themselves even perversely through self-contempt. Despising oneself becomes a distorted claim to authority: the self-executioner finds grim satisfaction in the jury and judge that reside within, as if to say, “I may be vile, but at least I possess the honesty and strength to recognize and condemn such vileness.” Thus self-despisers respect themselves as thinkers, as sharpened observers, even if their sharpness is turned inward, to wound and diminish. The act of despising always elevates the despiser, regardless of his target.