The Narrative Within

Have you ever discovered something about yourself that you weren’t expecting? Like your actual weight or that you have high blood pressure or a food allergy?

Unexpected discoveries are not limited just to the physical self.  Often people perceive themselves in a way that has nothing to do with reality.  Think about people who have low self-esteem and can’t see all the wonderful qualities they actually have.  Or, when arguing, those who  only see their point of view and, even if  wrong, think  they’re right. Or what about all those people who claim to be Christians but whose hearts are full of hate.

Self-deception is obviously not intentional. Yet we often lie to ourselves more than we lie to others.

Inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi is the phrase “γνῶθι σεαυτόν”—Know Thyself. Socrates was particularly fond of this maxim. He said he would not waste time trying to know more about things that were insignificant when, instead, he could use that time to learn more about himself .

Sometimes it’s easier for me to criticize you than it is for me to understand me