Quote by Joan Didion: “To live without self‑respect is to lie awake some night, dreading the day.”

This quote vividly describes the deep unease and anxiety that comes from lacking self-respect. It suggests that without inner dignity and integrity, one's life becomes a source of dread, making even the simple act of facing a new day feel burdensome and full of apprehension.

In her essay 'On Self-Respect,' from 'Slouching Towards Bethlehem,' written in the late 1960s, Didion examines the importance of personal integrity and self-worth in a world that often seems to erode individual meaning and responsibility.

American writer known for her distinctive prose style and incisive cultural commentary. Her essays, novels, and memoirs explored themes of American life, disillusionment, and the counterculture, establishing her as a prominent voice in New Journalism.