Quotes about Self-reflection

If you have behaved badly, repent, make what amends you can and address yourself to the task of behaving better next time. On no account brood over your wrongdoing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.

Misfortunes occur only when a man is false.... Events, circumstances, etc., have their origin in ourselves. They spring from seeds which we have sown.

Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections.

At thirty a man should know himself like the palm of his hand, know the exact number of his defects and qualities. ... And above all, accept these things.

And unless one decorates one's house for oneself alone, best leave it bare, for other people are all wall-eyed.

I went to America to convert the Indians, but, oh, who shall convert me? Who, what, is he that will deliver me from this evil heart of unbelief?

Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business.

The fatal flaw of human wisdom is that it promises that you can change your relationships without needing to change yourself.

I had to learn - since I'm divorced now and everyone is like, 'Oh my God, you're single, what's going on?' - that if I don't like to spend time with myself, how can I ask someone else to enjoy spending time with me? I'm getting to learn how to enjoy my solitude and have a good time.

If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be.

Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.

A man's first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart.