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About this quote

What does it mean?
The greatest achievement is to be oneself.
In plain terms
Knowing and being yourself is the hardest and best thing.
What can you take from it?
Self-mastery is the highest goal.

Where it applies

  • personal growth
  • leadership
  • relationships

Putting it to work

  • practice self-awareness
  • align actions with values

Questions to consider

  • What does it mean to be oneself?
  • Is self-mastery achievable?

Another view

Being oneself can conflict with social expectations.

More from Michel de Montaigne

  1. L'homme d'entendement n'a rien perdu, s'il a soimeme.

    Permalink to quote #22
  2. There is as much difference between us and ourselves as between us and others.

    Permalink to quote #24
  3. Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.

    Permalink to quote #21

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