Do you agree? "Ninety percent of the world's woes comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities,

Question

their frailities, and even their real virtues. Most of us go almost all the way through life as complete strangers to ourselves- so how can we know anyone else?" Sidney J. Harris. Many of us, myself included go through life not really knowing who we are. This makes it difficult to have a frame of reference to know those we love. We all see the world through a glass darkly. This is where misconceptions and hurt feelilngs begin.

Answer 1

I do agree for most people. But definitely not for others. This is why you find those certain people in a state of deep angst. When they finally have had that epiphany of life and are left with those around them that are still in the stages of discovery. The person that "knows themself" does indeed have a heightened sense of emotion and passion for things around him. Because he understands their worth in his life. I don't agree that 90% of the woes come from not knowing ourselves. I think it is from the staggered stages we are all in throughout our self discovery.

How can I know myself and understand my needs my frailities and my virtues and communicate how passionate I feel about certain things with my best friend when she is not ready to hear of this yet because she is still trying to find her self worth and understand how to love herself. That is where the "worldly woe" comes in. She can't love me as I love her......because she has yet to love herself.

This also happens in relationships constantly. People enjoy one another......perhaps marry at at early age.......while both are still discovering themselves. 15 years later........one may have gone through a life altering transformation that allowed them see themselves fully and understand life as never before. While the spouse is still floundering to find his or her own purpose. Whereas the intense love that one person can now offer is given freely, the other person can not return the same kind of love yet.......purely because this person has yet to learn to love themself and accept themself for their virtues.

Sure we could take this world wide.....and see that if within a family two people's staggered paths cause woes........imagine how billions and billions of people all searching independently for something for themself could cause ego driven ideas to rule our international decisions. Definitely it becomes part of the world's woes.

But I still stand by the fact that it is not the lack of knowledge of ourselves that causes the woes..... Those that don't know themself don't realize enough to be woeful. It is the staggered stages of discovery amongst us all that causes conflict in expression of love and genuine passion.

Answer 2

Point taken.
Though problems will continue to exist even to the very rich & powerful. It's a flaw I believe in the way our Creator made us to know & further understand our capabilities... that sometimes we could only accomplish so much, we're human, after all.
To avoid worry or woes as you've mentioned is similar to "cheating" yourself out of living or facing reality... if that accounts for 90% of the population, we might as well just check into the nearest convent/ monastery!
Life is basically living without knowing what the future holds. Maybe that's how it's meant to be.

Answer 3

Almost Completely Agree ... However What We Do With That Knowledge: That Is Where Civilization Lay ...

Answer 4

Woes because you want woman!
but if you would know?
would you turn your face off eve?
or to evil?
Adam couldnt!
and said yesss to the snake!

Answer 5

I do agree with you, but would like to add that it is not ninety percent, but cent per cent.

Answer 6

YES I agree!!! Tottally m0n!

(I'm not sure it's 90% but it is ALOT of ppl LOL, so maybe 90% eh?)

Answer 7

I would agree with you.