The largest part of what we call 'personality' is determined by how we've opted to defend ourselves against anxiety and sadness".

as the determinants of high status keep shifting, so, too, naturally, will the triggers of status anxiety be altered.

It is in dialogue with pain that many beautiful things acquire their value. Acquaintance with grief turns out to be one of the more unusual prerequisites of architectural appreciation. We might, quite aside from all other requirements, need to be a little sad before buildings can properly touch us.

Though it may feel otherwise, enjoying life is no more dangerous than apprehending it with continuous anxiety and gloom.

Status anxiety definitely exists at a political level. Many Iraqis were annoyed with the US essentially for reasons of status: for not showing them respect, for humiliating them.

The Anxiety of Sunday afternoon: your unlived lives and infinite possibility pressing upon the constraints of reality.