Quote · explained
This above all: to thine own self be true.
Polonius, Hamlet · William Shakespeare
In plain English

Most important of all: be honest with yourself.

What it means

Polonius's parting advice to his son sounds like pure wisdom — and is quoted that way constantly — but Shakespeare gives it to a meddling, self-serving old man, so it also carries a sly irony: the people who most preach authenticity are often the least authentic.

Themes
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