BE YOURSELF
H. W. Bryce
We all have several selves, we show a different face
In every situation. To our Mom we show
Respect and love; to our dad, admiration, pride;
But to the bully, we show either defiance
Or fear, our flight or fight face; to our boss, perhaps
Deference; perhaps behind his back, defiance, dislike.
But underneath these faces that we own, we own
Our own. Know who you are. It may seem obvious,
But it may also take some deep soul searching to find
The essential You, before you can say, “I know
Myself.” So be true to that in everything you do.
From whence you come, to where you go, like a great Oak
Tree, your life force is defined; you have control; be
A good gardener: fertilize your roots, branch out and
Guide your self along a path, through the maze of life.
Sometimes you’re blown away, and scattered to the winds,
Sometimes you find a shelter, somewhere, but are you
Growing up or dying out? Or are you at midpoint?
Are you You or someone else? Do you really know?
Well, my friend the truth floats with the wind. You read your
Compass point, you find your own true north, and all you
Have to do is follow that and you will find the
Way to be. Just make sure it’s the good you, not the
Evil one that lurks there always in the shadows.
To thyself be true,* the Bible says. Or so men say.
Truth before the easy way. Shakespeare said it too.
Peer Gynt echoed words, “Man, to thyself be true!” So
Find your Self and to thyself be true. That’s the way.
To thyself be true
It’s the only way
—
* To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. William Shakespeare
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quot…/william_shakespeare_106104
Polonius to Laertes. Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 78–82
The Bible expresses this in a different way:
Proverbs 18:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
– https://www.openbible.info/topics/knowing_yourself
* In the play “Peer Gynt” by Ibsen, there is an exchange between the Troll King and protagonist Peer Gynt:
Under the skies men have a common saying:
“Man, to thyself be true!” But here, ‘mongst Trolls,
“Troll, to thyself be – enough!” it runs.
https://forum.wordreference.com/…/to-thyself-be-enough.297…/
