"To thine own self be true," as goes the familiar Shakespearean quote that is now used as proverb. But what if your true self doesn't really faciliate a successful life? What then? I'm not even talking about someone with an inherent propensity for getting into trouble. What if you are like a recluse? Surely you shouldn't remain a recluse.
2006-09-05 07:49:32 · 7 answers · asked by SBG 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
The best you can do is identify the problems and work on them.
Specifically, I had exactly that problem. Some bad descisions I made in my early and middle life made me withdraw from others. I became reclusive to a serious degree. But I hated the lonliness, and I knew that eventually it would eat me up.
In my case there was a stroke of luck. Someone I'd known for many years offered her love. I still had to make the decision to accept it, and face the trubulations that any change presents. But when I weighed it all, I joined with her. It took a while to adapt to living in consideration of another (and her child) and there were a few times I thought I wouldn't be able... but now I'm fine.
Habit is a *****. We grow accustomed even to bad situations. Change always takes courage, even change to something better.
2006-09-05 07:54:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's so wrong with being a recluse? What's so great about a 'successful' life (I'm guessing you mean in a monetary sense)? I don't think it's anyone else's business how someone lives his or her life, as long as they're not harming anyone.
2006-09-05 07:56:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that "to thine own self be true" is not referring to your lifestyle or the way you act. I think it means not to compromise your morals and believes, your opinions to better suit someone elses standard of what you should be.
2006-09-05 07:53:26 · answer #3 · answered by sondra j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as we live, we have the power to change our attitudes toward ourselves as well as others. If your own self isn't so great (to you -- another person probably envies you), pretend to be who you want to be and over time you'll become that person. If you want to get involved, be involved. If you want to get happy, be happy. If you want someone to love you, be someone lovable. That's life.
2006-09-05 08:06:16 · answer #4 · answered by ensign183 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it means that you shouldn't try to be something you're not. That doesn't mean that you can't make positive changes in your life.
2006-09-05 07:55:06 · answer #5 · answered by Lucrecia2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Success" is in the mind of the beholder.
2006-09-05 07:55:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are what we precieve. nothing more nothing less
2006-09-05 08:14:02 · answer #7 · answered by dancinintherain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋