Self-Abnegation.
Synonyms:
| self-control, | self-devotion, | self-renunciation, |
| self-denial, | self-immolation, | self-sacrifice. |
Self-control is holding oneself within due limits in pleasures and duties, as in all things else; self-denial, the giving up of pleasures for the sake of duty. Self-renunciation surrenders conscious rights and claims; self-abnegation forgets that there is anything to surrender. There have been devotees who practised very little self-denial with very much self-renunciation. A mother will care for a sick child with complete self-abnegation, but without a thought of self-denial. Self-devotion is heart-consecration of self to a person or cause with readiness for any needed sacrifice. Self-sacrifice is the strongest and completest term of all, and contemplates the gift of self as actually made. We speak of the self-sacrifice of Christ, where any other of the above terms would be feeble or inappropriate.
Antonyms:
self-gratification, self-indulgence, selfishness, self-seeking, self-will.