“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the…” — Frederick Douglass

Historical thought

I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and incur my own abhorrence.

— Frederick DouglassNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave · Chapter V

Perspective

Douglass writes this while explaining a belief others might ridicule. He places the cost of self-betrayal beside the cost of public disapproval, showing that the quieter cost can be the greater one.

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Chapter V

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Ancient philosophy

“The best way of avenging thyself is not to become like [the wrong-doer].” Marcus Aurelius — Responding to wrongdoing without imitation

Religious and spiritual

“For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love, this is an old rule.” Dhammapada (Buddhist canonical text) — Breaking the cycle of hatred

Traditional proverb

“The pond stands aside, as if it were not related to the river.” Yoruba proverb — Seeing our hidden connections

Literature

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” Henry David Thoreau — Living by a different rhythm

Science

“It is so easy to hide our ignorance under such expressions as the “plan of creation,” “unity of design,” &c., and to think that we give an explanation when we only restate a fact.” Charles Darwin — Naming a fact versus explaining it

Literature

“Till this moment, I never knew myself.” Jane Austen — Self-knowledge through changed judgment

Ancient philosophy

“The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name.” Laozi (traditional attribution) — Looking beyond names and categories

Ancient philosophy

“Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.” Confucius (as recorded in the Analects) — Bringing learning and reflection together

Religious and spiritual

“A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” Ecclesiastes (Hebrew Bible) — Making room for grief and joy

Historical thought

“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and incur my own abhorrence.” Frederick Douglass — Integrity in the face of public disapproval

Ancient philosophy

“No longer talk at all about the kind of man that a good man ought to be, but be such.” Marcus Aurelius — Character expressed through action

Religious and spiritual

“As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break through an unreflecting mind.” Dhammapada (Buddhist canonical text) — Reflection as shelter from passion

Traditional proverb

“Thanks are due to the shoulders which keep the shirt from slipping off.” Yoruba proverb — Gratitude for quiet support

Literature

“Simplify, simplify.” Henry David Thoreau — Simplicity and the burden of complexity

Science

“As we possess only the last volume of the geological record, and that in a very broken condition, we have no right to expect, except in rare cases, to fill up the wide intervals in the natural system, and thus to unite distinct families or orders.” Charles Darwin — The limits of surviving evidence

Literature

“The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles.” Jane Austen — How purpose changes the experience of effort

Ancient philosophy

“The highest excellence is like (that of) water.” Laozi (traditional attribution) — Excellence through the example of water

Ancient philosophy

“When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.” Confucius (as recorded in the Analects) — Leaving our faults behind

Religious and spiritual

“Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.” Ecclesiastes (Hebrew Bible) — Quietness and the cost of having more

Historical thought

“What he most dreaded, that I most desired.” Frederick Douglass — Literacy and the fear of liberation

Ancient philosophy

“The universe is transformation: life is opinion.” Marcus Aurelius — Change and the judgments we make

Religious and spiritual

“As the bee collects nectar and departs without injuring the flower, or its colour or scent, so let a sage dwell in his village.” Dhammapada (Buddhist canonical text) — Receiving without causing harm

Traditional proverb

“The sword shows no respect for its maker.” Yoruba proverb — The unintended consequences of our tools

Literature

“We commonly do not remember that it is, after all, always the first person that is speaking.” Henry David Thoreau — Recognizing the speaker behind a claim

Science

“This ought to convince us of our ignorance on the mutual relations of all organic beings; a conviction as necessary, as it is difficult to acquire.” Charles Darwin — Humility about a connected world

Literature

“angry people are not always wise” Jane Austen — Anger and the limits of judgment

Ancient philosophy

“Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness, that their use depends.” Laozi (traditional attribution) — The usefulness of empty space

Ancient philosophy

“I will not be afflicted at men’s not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men.” Confucius (as recorded in the Analects) — Understanding others beyond seeking recognition

Religious and spiritual

“He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.” Ecclesiastes (Hebrew Bible) — Acting amid uncertain conditions

Historical thought

“It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out.” Frederick Douglass — When insight arrives before relief

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