Nathan Branden (1930–2014,) born Nathan Blumenthal, was a Canadian-American psychotherapist and writer most famous for his works on the psychology of self-esteem. An associate and romantic partner of novelist-philosopher Ayn Rand, he had a prominent role in promoting Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism.
Born in Brampton, Ontario, Branden earned his B.A. in psychology from the University of California Los Angeles, an M.A. from New York University, and a PhD in psychology from the California Graduate Institute.
In the 1950s, Branden and Ayn Rand became philosophical soul mates, lovers, and business associates even though he was 25 years younger and married to others. In 1958, he started the Nathaniel Branden Institute, where he helped repackage Rand’s ideas into lectures, recordings, books, and articles.
Branden’s personal and professional relationship with Rand ended in 1968. He moved to Southern California, where he started a new organization, the Institute of Biocentric Psychology, did pioneering work on the psychology of self-esteem, contributed to the renaissance of modern individualist and libertarian thought, and wrote the bestselling book, “The Psychology of Self-Esteem” (1969.)
Branden was the author of 20 books that explore the philosophical, psychological, and cultural foundations of individualism and the free society. His notable books include The Psychology of Romantic Love (1980,) Honoring the Self (1983,) The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem (1994,) Taking Responsibility (1996,) and The Art of Living Consciously (1997.) His memoir is Judgment Day: My Years with Ayn Rand (1989.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Nathaniel Branden
An emotion is both a mental and a physical event.
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Emotions
The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Awareness, Acceptance, Change
There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will treat others with respect, kindness, and generosity. People who do not experience self-love have little or no capacity to love others.
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Awareness, Confidence, Generosity, Realization, Acceptance, Assurance
Reason and emotion are not antagonists. What seems like a struggle between two opposing ideas or values, one of which, automatic and unconscious, manifests itself in the form of a feeling.
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Conflict
To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the prerogative of mindlessness, but the exact opposite: It is the reward of self-esteem.
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Self Respect, Self-Esteem
In any culture, subculture, or family in which belief is valued above thought, and self-surrender is valued above self-expression, and conformity is valued above integrity, those who preserve their self-esteem are likely to be heroic exceptions
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Culture
For the rational, psychologically healthy man, the desire for pleasure is the desire to celebrate his control over reality. For the neurotic, the desire for pleasure is the desire to escape from reality.
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Pleasure
Live with integrity, respect the rights of other people, and follow your own bliss.
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Integrity
The tragedy is that so many people look for self-confidence and self-respect everywhere except within themselves, and so they fail in their search.
—Nathaniel Branden
Productive achievement is a consequence and an expression of health, self-esteem, not its cause
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Achievement
In a world in which the total of human knowledge is doubling about every ten years, our security can rest only on our ability to learn
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Security
Self esteem is the reputation we acquire with ourselves.
—Nathaniel Branden
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