Concept, Examples and Phrases about dignity

We explain that it is the dignity and the different meanings of this term.Besides, some examples and phrases about dignity.

Dignity is often related to honor, honor and pride.

What is dignity?

Dignity is a complex concept.On the one hand, we understand it as an intrinsic value of the human being , which is not granted by anyone but has by the mere fact of being , to be born, to be provided with rationality and freedom, without distinction of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation or other conditions.

This human dignity goes hand in hand with universal human rights , that is, with those minimal conditions of existence that all human beings deserve automatically and are not subject to debate or discussion by any court.

This, of course, is not always It has complied and is a product of human modernity, since formerly there were laws that allowed slaves, people devoid of this ontological dignity ("of being").

There is, however, another sense of dignity that is related to honor , honor, pride, that is, with belonging (real, symbolic or imaginary) to a human group that deserves and it demands the respect of others.This notion comes from ancient times and was linked to decisions made, with fidelity to ideals or divine mandates, for which it was decent to die rather than retract or betray them.

The tragic heroes, for example, protagonists of the ancient epics, were able to sacrifice themselves to safeguard the honor, which amounted to "die with dignity" instead of living "dishonorably." This concept was then universalized by Christianity, whose Philosophy gave sin a conception more or less similar to the old dishonor, with the difference that it could not be "cleaned" with death (as if it was not long ago Japanese culture, through ritual suicide or harakiri) but atorment Aryan the soul on its way to the hereafter (hell, purgatory or paradise).

At present, however, thanks to Humanism and the philosophical schools of the Modern and Contemporary Era, the dignity of the human being is understood as something much more secular (secular) and linked to the conditions in which he lives his life. Decent ways of living involve a series of objective and subjective concepts , such as freedom, autonomy, belonging, identity, fullness of rights and self-determination.

See also: Misanthropy.

Examples of dignity

Human dignity can be evidenced in various fields and attitudes, for example:

• It is said of a person who possesses dignity when they value themselves above the needs of the moment or the demands of others.In this case it can be considered synonymous with integrity or honor.


• It is said that a person lives with dignity when he can provide himself with the satisfaction of his needs without the need to beg others, to submit to other people's plans or to perform acts contrary to his moral to survive.


• It is common to consider a dignified attitude to respect others: consider their rights, their worth, as well as their own.An unworthy person can be someone who does not respect himself or does not respect others , or both.


• It is also said that a dignified person is one who honors the commitments made, who does not take refuge in lies or evasion to avoid facing their responsibilities.

Phrases about dignity

• "Dignity is not to have honors, but to deserve them".Aristoteles (Greek Philosopher, 384-322 B.C.).


• “Where is dignity unless there is honesty?” Marco Tulio Ciceron (Roman philosopher, 106-43 B.C.)


• "Through lies, man annihilates his dignity as a man." Immanuel Kant (Prussian philosopher, 1724-1804).


• "The dignity of human nature requires that we face the storms of life." Mahatma Gandhi (Indian Politician, 1869-1948).


• “Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life.”Albert Einstein (Jewish-German Physician, 1879-1955).


• "The day when our dignity will be completely restored, is the day when our purpose ceases to be until the sun rises the next morning." Thabo Mbeki (South African Politician, 1942-).


• "When we talk about human dignity, we cannot make concessions." Angela Merkel (German Politician, 1954-).