No man doth think others will be better to him than he is to them.
Benjamin WhichcoteRead
Man is a wonder to himself; he can neither govern nor know himself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the complex and contradictory nature of human self-understanding and self-governance.
Benjamin Whichcote highlights the paradox of human existence; while individuals are capable of great thought and wonder, they often struggle to comprehend their own motivations and actions. This suggests that self-awareness and governance are challenging aspects of the human experience, raising questions about the nature of identity and personal agency.
Themes
Self-AwarenessHuman NaturePhilosophyIdentitySelf-Governance
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about personal growth during a workshop, this quote can encapsulate our struggles with self-discovery.
More from Benjamin Whichcote
All quotes βSome things must be good in themselves, else there could be no measure whereby to lay out good and evil.
Benjamin WhichcoteRead
Believe things, rather than man.
Benjamin WhichcoteRead
Right and truth are greater than any power, and all power is limited by right.
Benjamin WhichcoteRead
Conscience without judgment is superstition.
Benjamin WhichcoteRead
That power is in vain which is never in use.
Benjamin WhichcoteRead
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