"何よりもまず自分に嘘をつかないでください。自分に嘘をつき、その嘘に耳を傾ける人は、自分の中や周りの真実を区別できなくなり、自己や他人への尊敬をすべて失ってしまいます。"
— 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.
