The evolution of man is the evolution of his consciousness, and 'consciousness' cannot evolve unconsciously. The evolution of man is the evolution of his will, and 'will' cannot evolve involuntarily.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
In order to understand the interrelation of truth and falsehood in life, a man must understand falsehood in himself, the constant incessant lies he tells himself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding one's own dishonesty is essential for grasping the nature of truth and falsehood.
This quote by G. I. Gurdjieff emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and honesty in one's own life. To truly understand the concepts of truth and falsehood, one must first recognize the lies and deceptions they tell themselves. This self-awareness is crucial for personal growth and for navigating the complexities of life, as it enhances one's perception of reality and fosters a deeper understanding of human nature.
Themes
TruthFalsehoodSelf-AwarenessLiesHonesty
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about personal growth, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of introspection.
More from G. I. Gurdjieff
All quotes βConscious faith is freedom. Emotional faith is slavery. Mechanical faith is foolishness.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
Remember you come here having already understood the necessity of struggling with yourself β only with yourself. Therefore thank everyone who gives you the opportunity.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
It is the greatest mistake to think that man is always one and the same. A man is never the same for long. He is continually changing. He seldom remains the same even for half an hour.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
Laughter relieves us of superfluous energy, which, if it remained unused, might become negative, that is, poison. Laughter is the antidote.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
If a man could understand all the horror of the lives of ordinary people who are turning around in a circle of insignificant interests and insignificant aims, if he could understand what they are losing, he would understand that there can only be one thing that is serious for him - to escape from the general law, to be free. What can be serious for a man in prison who is condemned to death? Only one thing: How to save himself, how to escape: nothing else is serious.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
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[A]nother important difference between tourist and traveler is that the former accepts his own civilization without question; not so the traveler, who compares it with the others, and rejects those elements he finds not to his liking.
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Too much openness and you accept every notion, idea, and hypothesis-which is tantamount to knowing nothing. Too much skepticism-especially rejection of new ideas before they are adequately tested-and you're not only unpleasantly grumpy, but also closed to the advance of science. A judicious mix is what we need.
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No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.
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Everyone has three lives: a public life, a private life, and a secret life.
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