It is one of the most effective attitudes of the neurotic to measure thumbs down, so to speak, a real person by an ideal, since in doing so he can depreciate him as much as he wishes.

The quote by Alfred Adler, "It is one of the most effective attitudes of the neurotic to measure thumbs down, so to speak, a real person by an ideal, since in doing so he can depreciate him as much as he wishes," explores a psychological tendency in individuals with neurotic traits. Adler is describing how some people create unrealistic ideals or standards and then use them as a measuring stick to harshly judge others. By comparing a real person—with all their human flaws and complexities—to an unattainable ideal, the neurotic individual gains a false sense of superiority and control by depreciating or diminishing the value of others.

Alfred Adler, an Austrian psychiatrist and founder of Individual Psychology, was a contemporary of Freud and Jung, but he diverged by emphasizing social interest, personal responsibility, and the influence of inferiority complexes. This quote originates from his work on how people compensate for feelings of inadequacy. Rather than dealing with their own insecurities, some people cope by adopting attitudes that allow them to judge others harshly, thus protecting their own fragile self-esteem.

The phrase "measure thumbs down" is metaphorical, evoking the image of a Roman emperor giving a thumbs-down to signal disapproval or condemnation. In this context, it refers to the act of rejecting or devaluing someone by holding them to impossible standards. The neurotic person avoids vulnerability by placing themselves in the role of judge rather than participant, thus avoiding genuine connection or empathy.

Ultimately, Adler’s quote serves as a warning against perfectionism, idealization, and the misuse of judgment as a defense mechanism. It encourages self-reflection: when we find ourselves overly critical of others, it may be rooted in our own insecurities. True emotional growth comes not from criticizing others, but from developing compassion—for both ourselves and those around us.