“Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others.”
— Fyodor Dostoevsky
Simplified Meaning:
When someone lies to themselves, they start to believe their own false stories. Over time, they get so used to these lies that they can no longer tell what is true and what is not. This confusion makes it hard for them to trust themselves, and they might also struggle to trust or respect other people. For instance, imagine a student who convinces themselves they don't need to study to pass an exam. They might skip studying repeatedly and believe they will be fine, but when they fail, they are left feeling upset and unsure about their abilities. In real life, constantly lying to oneself can lead to poor decisions and unhappiness. It's important to be honest with oneself to understand what’s real, make better choices, and maintain healthy relationships with others.
