Do you prefer that you be right or happy?
Norman CousinsRead
The most excellent and divine counsel, the best and most profitable advertisement of all others, but the least practised, is to study and learn how to know ourselves. This is the foundation of wisdom and the highway to whatever is good. . . . God, Nature, the wise, the world, preach man, exhort him both by word and deed to the study of himself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge as the key to wisdom and goodness.
Pierre Charron suggests that understanding oneself is the most significant pursuit one can undertake. He posits that this self-study is not only a divine recommendation but is also crucial for attaining wisdom and leading a good life. Despite its importance, he remarks that many people fail to practice self-awareness, even though it is encouraged by various sources, including nature and the wise.
Themes
Self-KnowledgeWisdomSelf-AwarenessPersonal-GrowthUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a self-improvement workshop to emphasize the importance of self-awareness.
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