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About this quote

What does it mean?
Self-acceptance and self-discovery lead to the end of personal suffering.
In plain terms
Knowing yourself ends your misery.
What can you take from it?
Self-knowledge brings peace.

Where it applies

  • personal crisis
  • growth
  • decision making

Putting it to work

  • self-reflection
  • stopping comparison
  • accepting flaws

Questions to consider

  • Are you being yourself?
  • What would happen if you found yourself?

Another view

It ignores external sources of suffering.

More from Matthew Arnold

  1. And long we try in vain to speak and act Our hidden self, and what we say and do Is eloquent, is well - but 'tis not true!

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  2. What shelter to grow ripe is ours? What leisure to grow wise?

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  3. But often, in the world's most crowded streets, But often, in the din of strife, There rises an unspeakable desire After the knowledge of our buried life; A th…

    Permalink to quote #12

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