"A man has to live with himself, and he should see to it that he always has good company"

Charles Evans Hughes’s words draw attention to the idea of personal integrity and the importance of self-respect. The phrase suggests that, at the core of a person’s existence, one’s own companionship is constant and unavoidable. No matter our relationships or external circumstances, we ultimately spend every moment with ourselves, our thoughts, emotions, and conscience serving as ever-present companions.

Maintaining “good company” with oneself is a call to cultivate qualities and actions one can admire in quiet moments, free from pretense or outside judgment. When we strive for honesty, kindness, and responsibility, we make choices that align with our values, producing an inner harmony and peace of mind. Conversely, actions that betray our personal standards or conscience can lead to discomfort, a sense of being ill at ease within our own skin.

Hughes emphasizes the enduring nature of self-reflection. Others may come and go, but there is no escaping from one’s own awareness. Regret, guilt, or self-reproach linger long after the external consequences disappear. To avoid living as one’s own severe critic, it becomes important to act in ways that foster admiration, forgiveness, or even compassion toward oneself.

The quote is also a subtle reminder that the truest measure of character emerges not from the eyes of the world, but from the quiet moments alone, when one must confront the truths of their actions and intentions. Ultimately, true dignity and fulfillment arise from the ability to respect oneself, having navigated life’s dilemmas consistently with integrity.

By urging people to “see to it” that they maintain good company within themselves, Hughes suggests personal accountability. Rather than relying on the approval of others, it is up to each individual to shape a self they can be proud to accompany, thus, ensuring lifelong company that is both honest and honorable.