“The greater the feeling of inferiority that has been experienced, the more powerful is the urge to conquest and the more violent the emotional agitation.”
- February 7, 1870 – May 28, 1937
- Austrian
- Psychotherapist, Medical Doctor, Founder of Individual Psychology
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Quote
“The greater the feeling of inferiority that has been experienced, the more powerful is the urge to conquest and the more violent the emotional agitation.”
Explanation
This quote encapsulates one of Alfred Adler’s most influential psychological insights: that deep feelings of inferiority often give rise to intense efforts to compensate, sometimes manifesting as ambition, aggression, or emotional turmoil. When individuals experience a profound sense of inadequacy, they may respond with an overwhelming drive to prove their worth or dominate their environment in order to escape those painful feelings. The stronger the inner sense of deficiency, the more exaggerated the outward behavior may become.
In Adler’s theory of individual psychology, this is known as the compensatory striving for superiority, which he saw as a core motive in all human behavior. While striving itself is natural and even healthy, when it stems from unresolved inferiority, it can lead to neurotic patterns, conflict with others, or emotional instability. The “violent emotional agitation” mentioned in the quote refers to the psychological distress that arises when the individual’s fragile self-concept is threatened, making their reactions disproportionate or defensive.
Today, this principle is still observed in many areas of life—from competitive behavior in the workplace, to extreme nationalism or authoritarian tendencies in politics, and even perfectionism or social media personas. Understanding that such behavior may originate in deep-seated insecurity allows for more compassionate responses and effective interventions. Adler’s message reminds us that beneath many powerful actions lie vulnerable feelings, and that addressing those feelings directly is key to genuine growth and peace.
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