Who said “Perhaps the only true dignity of man is his capacity to despise himself.”?

Verified

George Santayana. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceIntroduction to The Ethics of Spinoza (1910)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Introduction to The Ethics of Spinoza (1910).

APA

Santayana, G. (n.d.). Perhaps the only true dignity of man is his capacity to despise himself. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13526-perhaps-the-only-true-dignity-of-man-is/

MLA

Santayana, George. “Perhaps the only true dignity of man is his capacity to despise himself.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13526-perhaps-the-only-true-dignity-of-man-is/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Santayana, George. “Perhaps the only true dignity of man is his capacity to despise himself.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13526-perhaps-the-only-true-dignity-of-man-is/.