To thine own self be true
To thine own self be true means to act honestly and stay faithful to your values rather than simply please others; it appears in Shakespeare's Hamlet, where Polonius includes it in his farewell advice to his son Laertes.
Where it comes from
A father's parting advice
In Hamlet, Polonius gives Laertes advice about friends, money, clothing, and conduct before he leaves for France. Being true to himself is presented as a foundation for honest dealings with others.
As Laertes prepares to depart, Polonius delays him with a long series of practical instructions and then gives him leave to go.
In Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Living by your values today
Today the phrase usually encourages personal honesty and moral independence. It need not mean following every wish or refusing to change your mind.
In Jane Eyre, Jane leaves Rochester after discovering that he already has a wife, despite her love for him. Her decision illustrates the modern meaning of holding to your principles under pressure.
In Jane Eyre: An Autobiography by Charlotte Brontë
How to use To thine own self be true
- Use it when someone faces pressure to abandon a deeply held value.
- Make clear which principle or conviction is at stake.
- Avoid using it to excuse selfishness or dismiss good advice.
Does it mean doing whatever makes you happy?
No, it usually means acting honestly according to your values, not satisfying every passing desire. A difficult choice can be true to your principles even when it brings disappointment, as Jane's departure from Rochester does in Jane Eyre.
Does Hamlet himself say it?
No, Polonius says it to his son Laertes in Hamlet. That matters because Polonius also spies on others and helps arrange deception. His conduct complicates the advice, so the phrase is not simply an uncomplicated statement of the play's own wisdom.
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