Self-pity itself generates the inability to achieve anything. It differs from
the other two modes in that I do not blame myself (as in guilt) nor am I particularly
socially-orientated (as in jealousy). Also it differs from guilt in self-pity
mode in that it enables me to identify with people who have made heroic efforts
in life and yet have failed (for guilt, heroism is meaningless). Self-pity makes
me sentimental. When self-pity is dominant I deny responsibility ; one way of
achieving this is the desire for endless travel – so long as I travel I have
no responsibilities.
In general, endless activity is usually a hallmark of the flight from self-pity.
Despite the activity the person is never satisfied.
For example:
Self-pity leads to travel as the expression of endless activity.
Self-pity (as a mode of guilt) leads to housework or business as the expressions
of endless activity. [The workaholic person].
Self-pity (as a mode of jealousy) leads to duty as the expression of endless
moral activity. [²]
This endless activity is the attempt to overcome the sense of failure.
That is:
Self-pity implies the sense of social failure.
Self-pity (as a mode of guilt) implies the sense of spiritual failure, or
the failure of idealism.
Self-pity (as a mode of jealousy) implies the sense of personal failure, that
is, the failure to be an individual.
