Know Yourself (Yourself, Then Yourself)

...out of cowardice, or out of cunning and deceit. How true are the poet's words:

"When God wills that a virtue be spread abroad
which lay folded away, He appoints for it the tongue of an envier."

Our country stands in the utmost need of strengthening the element of individuality in people's souls — which is not selfishness, of course. The individuality that I want, and that I want the alert members of the nation to encourage in the souls of others, comes of strengthening the individual personality and polishing it; and when its perfection is complete, we then strive for its integration with others, so that we may have the unity of the community that is required.

Refine your child — build him up, O mother, from his tenderest years; teach him to rely on himself and to depend on his own arm to see to his affairs and his needs; and plant in him the spirit that drives him to better himself and those around him — on condition that sincerity be his guide and love of reform prevail in him. Let him be brave, meeting the one who errs face to face, convincing him of his error or being convinced himself by the other's argument. Teach him to be bold in his discussion, to prove to his opponent that behind the things he does there lies no ill intention or corrupt aim, but the public good and the love of what is right...

How sweet is honest criticism when its purpose is reform and the sincere pointing out of error!! And would that our meddling in the affairs of others ended at this limit... But alas, envy is still our motive and jealousy our spur...

Do your own work, O citizen, and do not set yourself up as a watchman over others: over what they publish and write, or what they proclaim and the deeds they do... Freedom is the most important thing in life; and if another's work or conduct does not please you, you have only to answer it with better work of your own and more honorable conduct of your own; then you will have met it with what brings a better result and a happier end.

The nations of the Western world — from which we never hesitate to take everything, especially whatever is unsuitable for us — those nations are founded upon individual liberty and upon each man's attention to himself, and thereby the whole body is refined and raised. The lot of the man who meddles in the affairs of others is nothing but neglect and ridicule.

"Know yourself": a saying of one of the philosophers of the ancient ages. Once you know yourself well, you will be able to refine it and to cure the lapses and faults that are in it. Yourself, then, and yourself again — and all will be well with the world.