Quotes about Self-awareness

The reason we all like to think so well of others is that we are all afraid for ourselves. The basis of optimism is sheer terror.

You are a wonderful creation. You know more than you think you know, just as you know less than you want to know.

It's tragic how few people ever 'possess their souls' before they die. 'Nothing is more rare in any man', says Emerson, 'than an act of his own.' It is quite true. Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their life is a mimicry, their passions a quotation.

A man who takes himself too seriously will find that no one else takes him seriously.

Neither at things, nor at people should one look. Only in mirrors should one look, for mirrors do but show us masks.

Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live. It is asking other people to live as one wishes to live.

It is tragic how few people ever 'possess their souls' before they die. 'Nothing is more rare in any man,' says Emerson, 'than an act of his own.' It is quite true. Most people are other people. Their thoughts are some one else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.

A man should demand much from himself, but little from others. When you meet a man of worth, think how you may attain to his excellence. When you meet an unworthy one, then look within and examine yourself.

If you look at their intentions, examine their motives, and scrutinize what brings them contentment — how can people hide who they are? How can they hide who they really are?

When we see men of worth, we should think of equalling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.

It's a life's work to see yourself for what you really are and even then you might be wrong. And that is something I don't want to be wrong about.