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To the modern ear it means that you are healthier and happier when you act according to your own personal convictions and beliefs rather than acting to please others. This is a nice sentiment, but much harder to do than to say. Life is filled with compromizes, and we have to follow many rules and conventions that we may not agree with. As issues become more and more crucial, we have to decide how much ground we are willing to give. In life and death situations, the persons are rare who are willing to put their lives at risk in support of a deeply held conviction.

Thinking about it in this way, Shakespeare's use of the line in Polonius' advice to Laertes [Hamlet] is richly ironic. Polonius has more in mind that being 'true' is being devoted to one's self-interests, in sharp contrast to the more idealistic interpretation above. So being 'true' may in fact involve acting in ways to please others, if doing so advances one's own goals or status.

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Alessia Carter

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2022-10-09 16:47:55
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2010-11-18 15:19:18

To the modern ear it means that you are healthier and happier when you act according to your own personal convictions and beliefs rather than acting to please others. This is a nice sentiment, but much harder to do than to say. Life is filled with compromizes, and we have to follow many rules and conventions that we may not agree with. As issues become more and more crucial, we have to decide how much ground we are willing to give. In life and death situations, the persons are rare who are willing to put their lives at risk in support of a deeply held conviction.

Thinking about it in this way, Shakespeare's use of the line in Polonius' advice to Laertes [Hamlet] is richly ironic. Polonius has more in mind that being 'true' is being devoted to one's self-interests, in sharp contrast to the more idealistic interpretation above. So being 'true' may in fact involve acting in ways to please others, if doing so advances one's own goals or status.

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Q: What is the meaning of 'to thine own self be true'?
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This above all to thine own self be true meaning?

yes


What is 'To thine own self be true' in Hebrew?

To thine own self be true: היה נכון לעצמך (heyeh nachon le'atsmecha)


To thine own self be true?

The quote "To thine own self be true" was written by Shakespeare. This appears in a speech by Polonius in Hamlet. This is NOT in the Bible.


What does thine mean?

In the quotation 'To thine own self be true' thine is used for the word 'your'. It says 'Be true to yourself'.


In what play did Shakespeare write To thine own self be true?

Hamlet


How you can put true in a sentence?

He's showing his true colors. To thine own self be true.


Translate to thine own self be true?

Translating to contemporary English "Be true to yourself."


WasQuote bible to thine own self be true?

"This above all: to thine own self be true,/And it must follow, as the night the day,/Thou cans't not be false to any man " --- Shakespeare in his play Hamlet


What is the difference between To thy own self be true vs to thine own self be true?

Grammar. "Thine" is used before a word beginning with a vowel (like the difference between "a" and "an"). Shakespeare wrote "thine," of course. (Elizabethan grammar was a flexible thing, but not in this case.)


Who said Know thyself and to thine own self be true?

"Know thyself" is an ancient aphorism of uncertain authorship. "To thine own self be true is said by the fictional character Polonius in the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare.


What are the ratings and certificates for 90210 - 2008 To Thine Own Self Be True 2-10?

90210 - 2008 To Thine Own Self Be True 2-10 is rated/received certificates of: Netherlands:6 USA:TV-14


When was Thine Own Self created?

Thine Own Self was created on 1994-02-14.

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