Intrinsic Worth Quotes

“A will whose maxims necessarily coincide with the laws of autonomy is a holy will, good absolutely. The dependence of a will not absolutely good on the principle of autonomy (moral necessitation) is obligation. This, then, cannot be applied to a holy being. The objective necessity of actions from obligation is called duty. From what has just been said, it is easy to see how it happens that, although the conception of duty implies subjection to the law, we yet ascribe a certain dignity and sublimity to the person who fulfills all his duties. There is not, indeed, any sublimity in him, so far as he is subject to the moral law; but inasmuch as in regard to that very law he is likewise a legislator, and on that account alone subject to it, he has sublimity. We have also shown above that neither fear nor inclination, but simply respect for the law, is the spring which can give actions a moral worth.”
― Immanuel Kant, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals: & The Metaphysical Elements of Ethics

“The very desire to preserve animals was a subjective sentiment of fail in the animal's intrinsic worth. It was a feeling possessed by most of the scientists there, who regarded the wildebeeste migration with the same awe that others feel for the Mona Lisa, but they would not admit this sentiment into their arguments because it could not be backed up by facts; the right and worng of aesthetics being imponderables not open to scientific analysis. At the end of the meeting there was a consensus of opinion on only one fact, that there was an urgent need for research before taking any hasty action.”
― Ian Douglas-Hamilton, Among the Elephants

“A stark sense of isolation encloses anyone who looks outward for validation.”
― Gina Barreca

“The essence of things is not altered by their external relations, and that which, abstracting from these, alone constitutes the absolute worth of man is also that by which he must be judged, whoever the judge may be, and even by the Supreme Being.”
― Immanuel Kant, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals: & The Metaphysical Elements of Ethics

“If I have a deeper relationship with myself, my roots go downwards toward an intrinsic sense of worth, not outward toward an extrinsic search for validation, not even in a conditional and often fleeting reputation with myself.”
― John Niland