In order to acquire a growing and lasting respect in society, it

The words of Salvador Dalí, “In order to acquire a growing and lasting respect in society, it is a good thing, if you possess great talent, to give, early in your youth, a very hard kick to the right shin of the society that you love. After that, be a snob,” burn with the fire of provocation, as was the manner of Dalí himself. Beneath their playful sharpness lies a truth as old as rebellion: that true respect is rarely won by obedience alone, but by daring to defy, to disrupt, to awaken. The kick to society’s shin is the symbolic act of youthful courage, the strike that forces the world to take notice of the one who will not bow to conformity.

This is not the rebellion of destruction, but the rebellion of the creator. Dalí, the surrealist painter, understood that society often slumbers in convention, lulled by the comfort of habit. To earn lasting respect, one must first disturb that sleep, showing through boldness and audacity that the spirit cannot be tamed. The kick is not given to harm, but to jolt awake; it is a declaration: “I love you, but I will not serve you in silence.” From this act of defiance grows the kind of reputation that endures, for society respects not the one who only follows, but the one who has the courage to lead through shock and originality.

History is filled with such figures. Consider Galileo, who, with his telescope, struck a mighty kick at the shin of the society he loved. The world demanded silence, demanded that he honor tradition over truth, but Galileo refused. His rebellion cost him dearly, yet in time it brought him lasting respect as the father of modern science. Like Dalí, he knew that great talent must not remain hidden or submissive. To awaken the world, one must sometimes scandalize it, even at great personal risk.

Dalí’s second command, “After that, be a snob,” is not a call to arrogance in its shallow form, but a call to embrace one’s uniqueness unapologetically. Once society has been jolted and forced to notice, one must carry oneself with the dignity of one who knows their worth. To be a “snob” in Dalí’s sense is to refuse to cheapen oneself for easy approval, to cultivate a certain distance, a proud guardianship of one’s gift. It is the posture of the artist who says, “I will not dilute the fire within me for your comfort. You may respect me or not—but I will remain myself.”

The ancients, too, spoke of this paradox. The philosopher Diogenes lived in defiance of the customs of Athens, mocking its hypocrisies, even scandalizing its rulers. He gave his own “kick” to society, exposing its vanity with shameless honesty. And though many scorned him, others revered him, and his name outlasted those of kings. His aloofness—his refusal to flatter the crowd—was his form of being a “snob.” Yet it was this very posture that preserved his integrity and secured his place among the wise.

The lesson for us is sharp and vital: do not seek respect through quiet conformity alone. If you carry a great talent, do not hide it under meekness. Strike boldly against convention when you are young—declare your originality, disturb the slumber of the world. And once the world has felt your presence, walk with the pride of one who knows the worth of their gift. Do not waste your brilliance in endless apologies or in begging for approval. Let your very being command respect, as the rainbow commands the eye after the storm.

Practical steps follow. Nurture your talent until it shines, then dare to use it boldly, even if the world is startled or offended. Speak truth with courage, even if it shakes the comfort of others. Once you have revealed your gift, hold fast to your standards; do not trade integrity for popularity. Be generous in love, but firm in identity. Remember: the kick awakens society, and the proud bearing of your gift sustains its respect.

Thus, Dalí’s words remain both playful and profound: “Give, early in your youth, a hard kick to the right shin of the society that you love. After that, be a snob.” It is the creed of the creator, the rebel, the one who dares to disturb so that others may awaken. Take it as both warning and blessing: if you would win lasting respect, you must first dare to offend, and then dare to carry your gift with dignity for all your days.