Position:Home>Philosophy> "This above all, to thine own self be true"?

It means to first know thyself, who you are, why you behave, act, speak and react in the way you do!. Know all that lurks in your subconscious driving your will at times to your destruction!.

To know your own mind and conquer it with mastery of will is to be true to oneself without compromise or egotism!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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"This above all,--to thine own self be true; and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man!."

Well the basic idea underlying this extract is that of being true unto your own will, or to who you are!. Hamlet is telling Laertes how to live, and in some respect steering him away from the existential doubt plaguing him!.
Hamlet talks about 'the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune' that oppress him, what are these 'slings and arrows'!?
One argument is that they are falsehoods, deceptions, cheats, lies etc!.!. Hamlet has been betrayed by those closest to him, he is not secure in himself or in his relationship to others!. His advice to Laertes is about how to be an honest man, to be true to yourself, not to be coerced or manipulated by others into acting against your own desires!. Hamlet's argument is that a man who is true to himself cannot be false!.

As to, is it good advice!.!.!.!.!.that really is your call!. If you read the whole extract from whence this line comes!.!.!.!.you might be tempted to say that Hamlet is advising Laertes to be average!.!.!.mediocre!. Telling him to stick to the middle ground in life!.
On the other hand there is a strong current of passion in this bit of text which extols the virtue of the 'self' as opposed to heirarchy or appearance; a diatribe against superficiality!.

My view is that it isn't bad advice, but perhaps the question is really why Hamlet gives such advice!.!.!.!.!.I've given an idea I guess, and I hope this helps!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Do what you know is the right thing at all times!. Do NOT do what others expect you to do because it is what they want!. You have to live with yourself and you should be proud of who that person is!.

Yes, it's good advice--maybe the author was having an insightful day, I don't know!.

When you leave this world, leave it knowing that you have been true to yourself and that you are proud of that person!.

Try doing a google search or look for it in Wikipedia!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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To me it means that no matter how many times we want to pretend we are someone else, put on a mask, or hide behind the truth, we should always be true to ourself and be ourself!. Yes it is good advice, although sometimes easier said than done!. Basically, dont lie to yourself, and just be "you"!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Here's the gist!.!. don't be a phony & act different in front of other people!. Act true to yourself, and be the same whether people are watching or not!. It has to do with keeping a healthy conscience!.

Now put that into your own words and go get an A!. If you work at it yourself, you'll feel a lot better than if you cheat (like above phrase is telling you)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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learn to spell


and it means!.!.!.!.be true to yourself!.!.!.!.!.do what you want to do and you'll be alllllllrightWww@QuestionHome@Com

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if it doesn't come from the heart then it's worthlessWww@QuestionHome@Com

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Please see web site below+

http://www!.drirene!.com/thine_own!.htm

Enjoy+Www@QuestionHome@Com

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