Hoyt & Roberts, comps. Hoyts New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations. 1922.
Self-Love
Self-love is a principle of action; but among no class of human beings has nature so profusely distributed this principle of life and action as through the whole sensitive family of genius. Isaac DIsraeliLiterary Character of Men of Genius. Ch. XV.
Wer sich nicht zu viel dünkt ist viel mehr als er glaubt. He who does not think too much of himself is much more esteemed than he imagines. GoetheSprüche in Prosa. III.
A gentleman is one who understands and shows every mark of deference to the claims of self-love in others, and exacts it in return from them. HazlittTable Talk. On the Look of a Gentleman.
Voyez le beau rendez-vous quil me donne; cet homme là na jamais aimé que lui-même. Behold, the fine appointment he makes with me; that man never did love any one but himself. Mme. de Maintenon, when Louis XIV. in dying said, Nous nous renverrons bientôt. (We shall meet again).
Et sonnant davance sa victoire, Mon chant jaillit si net, si fier, si peremptoire, Que lhorizon, saisi dun rose tremblement, Mobéit. And sounding in advance its victory, My song jets forth so clear, so proud, so peremptory. That the horizon, seized with a rosy trembling, Obeys me. RostandChanticleer. Act II. Sc. 3.
Je recule Ébloui de me voir moi même tout vermeil Et davoir, moi, le coq, fait élever le soleil. I fall back dazzled at beholding myself all rosy red, At having, I myself, caused the sun to rise. RostandChanticleer. Act II. Sc. 3.
O villainous! I have looked upon the world for four times seven years; and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury, I never found man that knew how to love himself. Othello. Act I. Sc. 3. L. 312.
This self-love is the instrument of our preservation; it resembles the provision for the perpetuity of mankind:it is necessary, it is dear to us, it gives us pleasure, and we must conceal it. VoltairePhilosophical Dictionary. Self-Love.