Few concepts in the work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau carry as much weight and are as complex as that of "amour-propre" (self-love). Frederick Neuhouser has presented the first comprehensive study of this term and impressively reveals its dual nature: In contrast to "amour de soi" (self-love), which characterizes humans in a state of nature, "amour-propre" only emerges in a state of society. It is the source of envy, vanity, and competitive thinking - of evil. But, as Neuhouser shows, it is also the driving force behind the struggle for recognition and thus a fundamental condition for the progressive development of reason, freedom, and morality - of subjectivity in general. It distinguishes humans from animals and is therefore a prerequisite for virtues and happiness - the good. A foundational work, not only for Rousseau specialists.