Know Thyself – Sunday, September 27, 1981
Above the entrance to the ancient Greek shrine at Delphi were inscribed these two words: “Know Thyself.” The message contained in this short injunction still merits our consideration. For while science has given us the telescope to scan the far reaches of the stellar universe and the microscope to probe the unseen microcosms, the greatest frontier is still the uncharted regions of self.
In truth, a full understanding of the universe which surrounds us is unattainable without first knowing ourselves. It is from this personal vantagepoint that all other spheres are observed and understood. To a large extent, all of the value judgements we make are a product of what we think ourselves have become. Our political preferences, the automobile we drive, what we think is beautiful, and sometimes even our religious persuasions are a result of our past environment and experience. To know ourselves is to understand the reasons behind our likes and dislikes, our preferences and aversions.
Thus, in learning about ourselves we also learn about others. When we understand that what we are is dependent in measure upon what we have been, we become more tolerant of what others are; we begin to see that our experience has been the same as others, and our conclusions may have also been the same as others. We become aware that bigotry, racial hatred, and international disputes are not based as much in ignorance of other people as they are in ignorance of ourselves. Perhaps, had we sought to understand ourselves before we judged others, the annals of humanity would have been a history of peace, rather than a chronicle of war.
The application of this ancient maxim lies within the grasp of all who take the time and expend the energy to truly know themselves: to understand our skills and aptitudes, our weaknesses and strengths; to measure the distance between where we are and where we want to be.
To “know thyself” we must explore our feelings about the world, about politics, religion, social issues; we must attempt to see ourselves as others see us.
And finally, to “know thyself” as only God can know us, we must search inwardly for the innate and unique gifts which lie within every individual; and once found, nurture and develop them. Perhaps then we might begin to understand the meaning of the words to “Know Thyself”.
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September 27, 1981
Broadcast Number 2,719