Quotes about Self-reflection

One must never be either content with, or impatient with, oneself.

Secondly, [man] should weigh his abilities-or rather lack of abilities.

Each of us thinks we have just cause for elevating ourselves and despising all others in comparison to ourselves—our self-love ruins us with such blindness. If, in fact, God has gifted us with something that is good in itself, we immediately make it the basis for praising ourselves to such a degree that we not only swell up but almost burst with pride.

When the same qualities which we admire in ourselves are seen in others, even though they be superior, maliciously lower and carp at them.

We are accordingly urged by our own evil things to consider the good things of God; and, indeed, we cannot aspire to Him in earnest until we have begun to be displeased with ourselves. For what man is not disposed to rest in himself?

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord," (Psalm 27:14). He accuses himself of timidity, and repeating the same thing twice, confesses that he is ever and anon exposed to agitation. Still he is not only dissatisfied with himself for so feeling, but earnestly labors to correct it.

On the other hand, it is well known that a person never comes to the clear knowledge of himself unless he has first contemplated the face of the Lord, and afterward descended to consider himself.

So long as we do not look beyond the earth, we are quite pleased with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue; we address ourselves in the most flattering terms, and seem only less than demigods.

Thy sins and hairs may no man equal call, for as thy sins increase, thy hairs do fall.

The border between good and evil passes not outside of us but within us

It is a great thing to know your vices.

When our weaknesses affect health and friendship, we are very much aware of their existence.