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Dictionary:
self-pit·y (sĕlf'pĭt'ē) |
| 5min Related Video: self-pity |
| WordNet: self-pity |
The noun has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
a feeling of sorrow (often self-indulgent) over your own sufferings
| Quotes About: Self-pity |
Quotes:
"Never feel self-pity, the most destructive emotion there is. How awful to be caught up in the terrible squirrel cage of self."
- Millicent Fenwick
"Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality."
- John W. Gardner
"Of all the infirmities we have, the most savage is to despise our being."
- Michel Eyquem De Montaigne
"There are few human emotions as warm, comforting, and enveloping as self-pity. And nothing is more corrosive and destructive. There is only one answer; turn away from it and move on."
- Dr Megan Reik
| Wikipedia: Self-pity |
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Self-pity is the psychological state of mind of an individual in perceived adverse situations who has not accepted the situation and does not have the confidence nor ability to cope with it. It is characterized by a person's belief that he or she is the victim of events and is therefore deserving of condolence. Self-pity is generally regarded as a negative emotion in that it does not generally help deal with adverse situations. However, in a social context, it may result in either the offering of sympathy or advice. Self-pity may be considered normal, and in certain circumstances healthy, so long as it is transitory and leads to either acceptance or a determination to change the situation.
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Self-pity can be remarkably self-sustaining particularly in conjunction with depression or other conditions. For example: a child at school feels badly because they see others as more social or outgoing. If the child does not take action by attempting to get to know others despite potential negative consequences (such as rejection) then they may continue to feel alone, and their feelings of self-pity will be sustained. Self-pity is a way of paying attention to oneself, albeit negatively; it is a means self-soothing or self-nurturing ("I hurt so much").
Social-Learning theorists purport that self-pity is a method for gaining attention, probably as a child, where an individual received attention, support, and nurturing while being sick or hurt. The child then grows up having learned to give attention to oneself (or ask for attention from others) while in real or dramatized distress to receive the same payoff. Thus, another form of self-sustainment can be sympathy offered by others: "oh, you poor thing." This is particularly true of individuals who exhibit sociopathic or psychopathic tendencies[citation needed] and rely on the sympathy offered by others as a means to manipulate.
The nature and depth of human pride are illuminated by comparing boasting with self-pity. Both are manifestations of pride. Boasting is the response of pride to success. Self-pity is the response of pride to suffering. Boasting says, “I deserve admiration because I have achieved so much.” Self-pity says, “I deserve admiration because I have sacrificed so much.” Boasting is the voice of pride in the heart of the strong. Self-pity is the voice of pride in the heart of the weak. Boasting sounds self-sufficient. Self-pity sounds self-sacrificing.
The reason self-pity does not look like pride is that it appears to be needy. But the need arises from a wounded ego, and the desire of the self-pitying is not really for others to see them as helpless, but as heroes. The need self-pity feels does not come from a sense of unworthiness, but from a sense of unrecognized worthiness. It is the response of unapplauded pride.[1]
"Self-Pity" is also the title of a short poem by D. H. Lawrence. [1] The poem was prominently cited by Viggo Mortensen's character in the film G.I. Jane. It is also a song by American hardcore punk band AFI, from their album Answer That and Stay Fashionable.
"Selfpity" a feature film by Dutch Cyrus Frisch (1993)
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| Translations: Self-pity |
Dansk (Danish)
n. - selvmedlidenhed
Nederlands (Dutch)
zelfmedelijden, zelfbeklag
Français (French)
n. - apitoiement sur soi-même
Deutsch (German)
n. - Selbstmitleid
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - μεμψιμοιρία
Italiano (Italian)
autocommiserazione
Português (Portuguese)
n. - comiseração de si mesmo (f)
Русский (Russian)
жалость к самому себе, склонность жаловаться на судьбу
Español (Spanish)
n. - lástima de sí mismo
Svenska (Swedish)
n. - självömkan
中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
自怜
中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 自憐
العربيه (Arabic)
(الاسم) ألاشفاق على ألذات
עברית (Hebrew)
n. - חמלה עצמית
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| Fenwick, Millicent (Quotes By) | |
| Reik, Dr Megan (Quotes By) | |
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![]() | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more | |
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