An emotion is both a mental and a physical event.
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Emotions
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
Productive achievement is a consequence and an expression of health, self-esteem, not its cause
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Achievement
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
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-Esteem, Self Respect
The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Change, Awareness, Acceptance
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: Acceptance, Assurance, Generosity, Realization, Awareness, Confidence
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
Live with integrity, respect the rights of other people, and follow your own bliss.
—Nathaniel Branden
Topics: Integrity
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
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
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- R. David Thomas American Entrepreneur
- Robertson Davies Canadian Novelist, Playwright
- G. Gordon Liddy American Lawyer
- Thomas Sowell American Conservative Economist
- Warren Farrell American Educator, Activist
- Cynthia Ozick American Novelist, Essayist
- Robert A. Heinlein American Science Fiction Writer
- Michael Edwardes British Business Executive
- Harold Pinter British Playwright
- Neil Armstrong American Astronaut
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