We are certainly influenced by role models, and if we are surrounded by images of beautiful rich people, we will start to think that to be beautiful and rich is very important - just as in the Middle Ages, people…

Quote by Alain De Botton

Topics: Alain De Botton Quotes

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...

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...

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...

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'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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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.

Status anxiety definitely exists at a political level. Many Iraqis were annoyed with the US...

Status anxiety definitely exists at a political level. Many Iraqis were annoyed with the US...

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...

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...

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

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