To Thine Own Self Be True
Posted by Lucas Mays on
Bachan's Cup of Tea for today is "to thine own self be true."
On these long summer days with so much time on my hands, I start reminiscing about times, incidents/memories that I haven't thought about in a long time
One that pops up from time to time throughout my 85 years is the following phrase from Hamlet that my teacher wrote in my autograph book when I was in Camp Amache. She said you won't understand it now but you will when you’re older.
"This above all: to thine own self be true
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man
Farewell, my Blessing season this in thee."
She was right. They were just words to me at the time. The words stayed in my memory bank and when I was older, they appeared to me at the most crucial times! The phrase has guided me when I was uncertain on which path to take.
How enduring was the advice written by William Shakespeare around the year 1602! To me, it means when you stay true to yourself, you will have a good life. You will make your life and the lives of others better. You must follow this advice on a regular basis, "as the night the day." You will not lie or cheat, honesty comes when you are, "true to yourself" — all the other virtues will follow.
I am thankful for the teacher whose "Farewell Blessing" to me was this phrase from Hamlet~
She truly sent me off with this guide for my future.
Join me for my next Cup of Tea!
Love and Light,
💕❤️ Bachan
