“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
- April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616
- Born in England
- Playwright, poet, actor
- Wrote many masterpieces such as “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth,” and had a great influence on English literature
Quote
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s Hamlet conveys a timeless message about the importance of self-authenticity. “To thine own self be true” emphasizes the necessity of being honest and genuine with oneself. When a person is true to their own values, beliefs, and identity, they align their actions with their inner truth. The second part of the quote, “and it must follow, as the night the day”, implies that once a person is true to themselves, integrity and honesty with others naturally follow. Just as the night inevitably follows the day, a person who is authentic will not act falsely or deceitfully toward others.
In modern contexts, this quote highlights the importance of self-awareness and personal integrity. In a world that often pressures individuals to conform or wear different “masks” for various situations, this advice stresses the value of remaining true to one’s core principles. For example, a leader who is genuine in their values is more likely to earn trust and respect from others, because their actions will be aligned with their words. Personal authenticity builds relationships based on mutual respect and honesty, reducing the chance of deceit or manipulation.
This quote is a reminder that self-truth is foundational to all other aspects of life. When you live authentically, you naturally act in ways that align with your values and treat others with honesty. It suggests that when we are clear about who we are and stay true to ourselves, our actions toward others become consistent and trustworthy, fostering more meaningful and genuine connections.
