Polonius:
“This
above all: to thine own self be true,
And
it must follow as the night the day,
Thou
canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell,
my blessing season this in thee!”
Laertes:
“Most
humbly do I take my leave, my lord.”
Hamlet, Act 1, scene 3, 78 – 82.
-Shakespeare
“To thine own
self be true” is Polonius’s last piece of advice to his son Laertes, who is
in a hurry to get on the boat to Paris, where he will be safe from his father’s
long-winded speeches. Polonius has in mind something more Elizabethan than the
New Age self-knowledge that the phrase now suggests. As Polonius sees it,
borrowing money, carousing with women of dubious character, and other
intemperate pursuits are “false” to
the self. By “false” Polonius seems
to mean “disadvantageous” or “detrimental to your image” by “true” he means “loyal to your own best interests.” Take care of yourself first, he counsels
and that way you’ll be in the position to take care of others.
Frustrations, depressions, drug-addictions to mention
a few, are common conditions that any individual can easily develop. It is not intended
for any particular psychographic segmentation of people but for the ones who remain
“false” to themselves mostly by
engaging in acts and professions that are disadvantageous and detrimental to their
image.
Ever wondered why some successful and wealthy people
end up on drugs or commit suicide after all they have achieved?
Or, why some experts in a particular field of art unexpectedly
diversify into an entirely unrelated field overnight?
The news headlines always have it; ‘RENOWNED
ARTIST TURNS PASTOR’ or ‘CELEBRATED
JOURNALIST TURNS POLITICIAN’.
These are all indicators that although it may seem
that one is successful in a particular profession or art, the individual may
not necessarily be passionate about it thus living in falsehood of one’s self. The art or profession if not resigned may result
in frustrations, depression among others. The only sure way to overcome these
conditions is to stay forever “true to
thine own self” by doing precisely what is in your best interest regardless
of what others claim suits you better. Simply put, Polonius advises that one is
NOT mandated to, for example;
·
Be a musician because one’s parent was
once a celebrated musician, or
·
Work for any company regardless, because the
pay is good.
·
Neither should one sell his/her soul for
money and fame, nor
·
Engage in wrongdoings because no one seems
to be watching (Remember you and God are).
Man, to thine
own self be true and that is the only way to attain happiness and fulfillment. Resist the urge to chase only after wealth and pay much more
attention to your “true” self, which
is your values and passion. By choosing to do exactly what you are truly
passionate about, you will become happier and be in the position to care for
others. For instance;
·
If you are a doctor but desire to be a minister
of the Gospel, become that minister!
·
If you are a university graduate but desire
to sell coconuts sell those coconuts!
·
If you are a politician but desire to be
honest, then be honest!
·
If you are a policeman but do not want to
take bribes, don’t take it!
·
If you are rich but desire to mingle with
the poor, mingle with the poor!
·
If you work for a company but desire to become
an entrepreneur, quit that job!
·
If you belong to one political party but
share in the vision of the other, vote
the other into power!
Never allow yourself to be dictated to, be loyal to
your own best interests and there you will forever find happiness. Do away with
hypocrisy then you will save yourself the trouble of having to jump off a 55-storey
building after acquiring all the wealth and fame, only because you insisted on
pleasing others thus remaining “false”
to yourself.
To assist you in heeding to the advice of Polonius is
an interesting rendition of a popular nursery rhyme. Recite it whenever you are
faced daily with the countless “true”
or “false” choices of self. I hope
it enables you to make the right and “true”
choice to prevent cases of frustrations, depression and drug-addictions, later
in life.
Lies,
lies, lies
Tell
it to myself?
No,
no, no
Why,
why, why?
Because,
I know the truth (2x)
God bless you!
Best Regards.
-Atsu
Dogbey
