ProverbMoralityGreek origin

Know thyself

Meaning: Self-knowledge and self-awareness are the foundation of all wisdom and right living.

Origin: The Greek gnōthi seauton was inscribed in the forecourt of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, according to the travel writer Pausanias. Plato's Socrates returns to it again and again as the starting point of philosophy.

Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Italian, and 2 more languages

  • French: Connais-toi toi-même (literally: Know yourself)
  • Spanish: Conócete a ti mismo (literally: Know yourself)
  • Japanese: 汝自身を知れ (Nanji jishin wo shire) (literally: Know thyself)
  • German: Erkenne dich selbst (literally: Know yourself)
  • Italian: Conosci te stesso (literally: Know thyself)
  • Portuguese: Conhece-te a ti mesmo (literally: Know thyself)
  • Polish: Poznaj samego siebie (literally: Know thyself)

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