Alfred Adler quotes

Alfred Adler, a renowned Austrian psychologist, was a key figure in the field of individual psychology. With over 300 published works, Adler's contributions revolutionized the understanding of human behavior. His emphasis on social connections and the pursuit of significance rather than pleasure set him apart from other psychologists of his time. Adler's belief in the impact of childhood experiences and the influence of birth order on personality shaped his therapeutic approach. His teachings and methods continue to guide modern psychology, inspiring countless professionals in helping individuals reach their full potential. Learn more about the influential works of Alfred Adler, and how his theories still provide valuable insights into human behavior, personal growth, and mental health.

You can be healed of depression if every day you begin the first thing in the morning to consider how you will bring a real joy to someone else.

- Alfred Adler

It is well known that those who do not trust themselves never trust others.

- Alfred Adler

The only worthwhile achievements of man are those which are socially useful.

- Alfred Adler

The one who boasts does so only out of a feeling of inferiority.

- Alfred Adler

The important thing is not what one is born with but what use one makes of that equipment.

- Alfred Adler

The feeling of inferiority rules the mental life and can be clearly recognized in the sense of incompleteness and unfulfillment, and in the uninterrupted struggle both of individuals and humanity.

- Alfred Adler

Seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.

- Alfred Adler

Play is a child's work and this is not a trivial pursuit.

- Alfred Adler

Overcoming difficulties leads to courage, self-respect, and knowing yourself.

- Alfred Adler

Nobody adopts antisocial behaviour unless they fear that they will fail if they remain on the social side of life.

- Alfred Adler

No man can think, feel, will, nor even dream, without everything being defined, conditioned, limited, directed by a goal which floats before him.

- Alfred Adler

Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted.

- Alfred Adler

Mathematics is pure language - the language of science. It is unique among languages in its ability to provide precise expression for every thought or concept that can be formulated in its terms.

- Alfred Adler

It is very obvious that we are not influenced by facts but by our interpretation of the facts.

- Alfred Adler

It is easy to believe that life is long and one's gifts are vast -- easy at the beginning, that is. But the limits of life grow more evident; it becomes clear that great work can be done rarely, if at all.

- Alfred Adler

It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.

- Alfred Adler

Follow your heart but take your brain with you.

- Alfred Adler

Everything can always be different!

- Alfred Adler

Every pampered child becomes a hated child.... There is no greater evil than the pampering of children.

- Alfred Adler

Courage is not an ability one either possess or lacks. Courage is the willingness to engage in a risk-taking behavior regardless of whether the consequences are unknown or possibly adverse. We are capable of courageous behavior provided we are willing to engage in it. Given that life offers few guarantees, all living requires risk-taking.

- Alfred Adler

All failures - neurotics, psychotics, criminals, drunkards, problem children, suicides, perverts, and prostitutes - are failures because they are lacking in social interest.

- Alfred Adler

A lie would have no sense unless the truth were felt as dangerous.

- Alfred Adler

What do you first do when you learn to swim? You make mistakes, do you not? And what happens? You make other mistakes, and when you have made all the mistakes you possibly can without drowning - and some of them many times over - what do you find? That you can swim? Well - life is just the same as learning to swim! Do not be afraid of making mistakes, for there is no other way of learning how to live!

- Alfred Adler

War is not the continuation of politics with different means, it is the greatest mass-crime perpetrated on the community of man.

- Alfred Adler

The educator must believe in the potential power of his pupil, and he must employ all his art in seeking to bring his pupil to experience this power.

- Alfred Adler

To be a human being means to possess a feeling of inferiority which constantly presses towards its own conquest. The greater the feeling of inferiority that has been experienced, the more powerful is the urge for conquest and the more violent the emotional agitation.

- Alfred Adler

My difficulties belong to me!

- Alfred Adler

Man knows much more than he understands.

- Alfred Adler

The truth is often a terrible weapon of aggression. It is possible to lie, and even to murder, with the truth.

- Alfred Adler

We must interpret a bad temper as a sign of inferiority.

- Alfred Adler