Friedrich Nietzsche Quotes

You grow up rough, you think differently. You think you've got to protect yourself at all times. I didn't want any help. I thought I could do everything by myself, which you can't.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

Once you encounter people who are really testing the limits of kindness, that's when you start to build up a shield and close yourself down.

When you're walking at the airport, you're expected to smile at people because they know you... I find that tough. I'm only trying to protect myself. So I don't take my eyes off the floor. People can take that as attitude. But it's actually shyness. Yes, it is a bad habit. But it's a defense mechanism.

It is ingrained in all living creatures, first of all, to preserve their own safety, to guard against what is harmful, to strive for what is advantageous.

It emasculated people to be protected in this way... [They should] be used to protecting themselves.

The first inclination which an animal has is to protect itself

You just always have to protect yourself. Try not to take any unnecessary hits.

As we get older, we become more political in terms of survival. We realize a certain amount of cunning is necessary and that you just end up a victim when you are totally honest in an environment where those around you arent. It's a matter of remaining true to yourself while continuing to move forward.

I don't think you can protect anything in your life, let alone your image.

When you're afraid, you look to amass power to defend yourself, not realizing that can also be corrupting.

If I'd kept my heart better armored, where would I be now?

Modesty is invisibility... Never forget it. To be seen - to be seen - is to be... penetrated. What you must be girls, is impenetrable.

I have a high art, I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me.

I’m fighting for my life, I have to defend myself. If I don’t defend myself, no one else will.

You have to get away from them. You have to get as far away as you can otherwise they'll kill you with their lives. They don't know what they do. They are careless with themselves and they take too much for granted. They make their shortcomings your problem. The only way to keep your head above it and heal your wounds is to crawl away.

You cannot protect your solitude if you cannot make yourself odious.

Her father guarded her, and she guarded herself; for there are no padlocks, bolts, or bars, that secure a maiden better than her own reserve.

If you hold yourself dear, protect yourself well.

My rule is to save myself first.

80 percent of any gang is not there to attack someone. They're there so no one will attack them.

We desert those who desert us; we cannot afford to suffer; we must live how we can.

I breathe in slowly. Food is life. I exhale, take another breath. Food is life. And that's the problem. When you're alive, people can hurt you. It's easier to crawl into a bone cage or a snowdrift of confusion. It's easier to lock everybody out. But it's a lie.

I use hate as a weapon to defend myself; had I been strong, I would never have needed that kind of weapon.

The human instinct for self-preservation is strong. I know, because mine pulls at me, too, like the needle on a compass. And everybody - I've been reading some philosophy - everybody seems to agree that the instinct and responsibility of all humans is to take care of themselves first. You have the right to self-defense. You have the right to survive, if you can.