But how shall we expect charity towards others, when we are uncharitable to ourselves? Charity begins at home, is the voice of the world, yet is every man his greatest enemy, and as it were, his own executioner.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Charity to others requires self-compassion first. Many people are cruel to themselves even while preaching charity begins at home.
- In plain terms
- You cannot be kind to others if you are not kind to yourself first.
- What can you take from it?
- Practice self-compassion to enable genuine charity toward others.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you treat yourself when you fail?
- Is self-love selfish?
Another view
Focusing too much on self can lead to selfishness rather than charity.
More from Sir Thomas Browne
No man can justly censure or condemn another, because indeed no man truly knows another.
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Permalink to quote #23 They that endeavour to abolish vice destroy also virtue, for contraries, though they destroy one another, are yet the life of one another.
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