To Thine Own Self Be True Full Quote
Introduction
“To thine own self be true” is a famous quote from William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. It is a line spoken by Polonius, a character in the play, to his son Laertes before he leaves for France. The quote is often used to urge people to be true to themselves and to follow their own values and beliefs.
The Meaning of the Quote
The quote “To thine own self be true” means that one should always be honest with oneself and should never compromise one's own values or beliefs to please others. It is important to live life according to one's own principles and to be true to oneself, even if it means going against the expectations of others.
Polonius goes on to say, “And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” This means that if you are true to yourself, you will also be true to others, because you will not be pretending to be something you are not.
The Importance of Being True to Oneself
Being true to oneself is important because it leads to a sense of authenticity and integrity. When you are true to yourself, you are living in accordance with your own values and beliefs, which can lead to a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.
On the other hand, if you are constantly trying to please others and ignoring your own values and beliefs, you may feel a sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction. You may also find it difficult to make decisions or to know what you really want in life.
How to Be True to Oneself
Being true to oneself is not always easy, especially in a world where there are so many pressures to conform to the expectations of others. However, there are some things you can do to help you stay true to yourself:
- Know yourself: Take the time to reflect on your values, beliefs, and goals. Understand what is important to you and what you want out of life.
- Be honest: Be honest with yourself and with others. Don't pretend to be something you're not in order to please others.
- Set boundaries: Don't be afraid to say no to things that don't align with your values or goals. Set boundaries and stick to them.
- Take action: Once you know what is important to you, take action to live in accordance with your values and beliefs. Make choices that align with your goals and that make you happy.
Conclusion
The quote “To thine own self be true” is a powerful reminder to be true to oneself and to live in accordance with one's own values and beliefs. Being true to oneself can lead to a sense of authenticity and fulfillment, while ignoring one's own values and beliefs can lead to a sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction.
If you want to be true to yourself, take the time to reflect on your values and goals, be honest with yourself and others, set boundaries, and take action to live in accordance with your values and beliefs. By doing so, you can live a life that is true to who you are and that brings you happiness and fulfillment.