"Know yourself, and you will know the universe and God"

2024. 5. 16. 06:08U.S. Economic Stock Market Outlook

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I came across this phrase while reading a book yesterday.

: Socrates said this.
"Know yourself, and you will know the universe and God" (connais-toi-me et tu connâtras l'univers et les diux)

What? Socrates said this?
I've heard "know yourself" countless times, but I've never heard of the words that follow. Is this the original text, and did we only learn the previous verse? As a result of checking through a storm search, it was not. Even in France, the main quoted phrase is the front phrase. The latter phrase is sometimes quoted together. Anyway, it was not the first word Socrates said, but the word engraved on the entrance pillar of the Temple of Delphi was quoted by Socrates while preaching his philosophy, but the latter word did not seem to be also engraved in the temple. Some say that the latter sentence was added by Aristotle, and others say that it was added in modern times to clarify the meaning of the preceding word. However, a friend who is a professor of philosophy explains that the meaning does not change by adding the latter sentence. However, the meaning is only emphasized.

This was not the case in my case. The latter sentence completely reversed the meaning of the word "know yourself" that I have known so far. The word "know yourself" I encountered in Korean society was roughly interpreted as "know your cologne." In a good way, having humility was to realize your insignificant, small existence.

However, in France, 'to understand yourself is to realize all the principles of the universe and the world'. Or, 'You must know that the principle that guides your actions, that is, reason, is within you. That is the reason of the world and the providence of God,' was understood. My friend who teaches philosophy and my daughter who learned philosophy in high school agreed with the same opinion. Having learned this word in Korea, I said that I have understood it to mean, "know your cologne," that is, to be humble, but both strongly protest that it means the opposite.

Carly, who has been a "unrequited love" of Socrates since middle school, said that if he knew Socrates properly, he would know that he would not have said anything like that. "Mom Socrates is ENTP. ENTP does not tell people to be humble."

Did I get it wrong alone? If not, it means that France and Korea have understood Socrates's words in completely different meanings.

The ruling class of all societies may have borrowed philosophy, religion, and art, which are common assets of mankind, according to their understanding. The most powerful virtue that the education I have received in Korea has instilled in me is "humility." I don't deny the value of humility, but I also question whether the ruling power has overemphasized it to suppress us.

Between yesterday and today, the corner of the world I knew overturned.

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