Status anxiety definitely exists at a political level. Many Iraqis were annoyed with the US essentially for reasons of status: for not showing them respect, for humiliating them.

Quote by Alain De Botton

Topics: Alain De Botton Quotes

Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that...

Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that...

I was uncomfortable writing fiction. My love was the personal essay, rather than the novel.

I was uncomfortable writing fiction. My love was the personal essay, rather than the novel.

I'm also interested in the modern suggestion that you can have a combination of love...

I'm also interested in the modern suggestion that you can have a combination of love...

I am conscious of trying to stretch the boundaries of non-fiction writing. It's always surprised...

I am conscious of trying to stretch the boundaries of non-fiction writing. It's always surprised...

We are certainly influenced by role models, and if we are surrounded by images of...

We are certainly influenced by role models, and if we are surrounded by images of...

Kant and Hegel are interesting thinkers. But I am happy to insist that they are...

Kant and Hegel are interesting thinkers. But I am happy to insist that they are...

The Arab-Israeli conflict is also in many ways a conflict about status: it's a war...

The Arab-Israeli conflict is also in many ways a conflict about status: it's a war...

Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that...

Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that...

In Britain, because I live here, I can also run into problems of envy and...

In Britain, because I live here, I can also run into problems of envy and...

I passionately believe that's it's not just what you say that counts, it's also how...

I passionately believe that's it's not just what you say that counts, it's also how...

Pick up any newspaper or magazine, open the TV, and you'll be bombarded with suggestions...

Pick up any newspaper or magazine, open the TV, and you'll be bombarded with suggestions...

The more familiar two people become, the more the language they speak together departs from...

The more familiar two people become, the more the language they speak together departs from...

Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that...

Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that...

What is fascinating about marriage is why anyone wants to get married.

What is fascinating about marriage is why anyone wants to get married.

We may seek a fortune for no greater reason than to secure the respect and...

We may seek a fortune for no greater reason than to secure the respect and...

It's clear to me that there is no good reason for many philosophy books to...

It's clear to me that there is no good reason for many philosophy books to...