what does the quote, "man is not defined by what denies him, but by that which affirms him", mean?

Answer 1

Elie Wiesel, the originator of the quote in his book "The Accident, is the survivor of several concentration camps during the Holocaust.

I love this quote because it underscores the power of people to transcend difficulties when they focus on only the positive situations during their lifetimes and remember that naysayers and evildoers shouldn't.

Answer 2

"Denies = 1.) To declare untrue. 2.) To refuse to believe; reject. 3.) To refuse to recognize..."

and "Affirms = 1.) To declare firmly; maintain to be true. 2.) To uphold; confirm..."

These are definitions (as in "defined") that 'explain the meanings' of the two main words in this phrase...essentially untruth and truth... "denies" and "affirms"---read the phrase a few times again now.

Do you think you can take it from here?
Good! And good luck!

Answer 3

It means that you can't tell a book by its cover, but to open it and see what lies within. Or, don't focus on what you can't do, focus on what you've can and have done.

Answer 4

I think it means something like if you are a dog lover it isn't that u hate cats that makes u a dog lover it's that u like dogs that makes u a dog lover.