"They who are all things to their neighbors cease to be anything to themselves"
- Norman Douglas
About this Quote
This quote by Norman Douglas speaks with the value of keeping a sense of self and identity, even when surrounded by people who count on us. It recommends that when we end up being too concentrated on being whatever to everyone else, we can forget our own requirements and desires. We can become so consumed with meeting the requirements of others that we forget to take care of ourselves. This can cause feelings of vacuum and dissatisfaction, as we are no longer able to be anything to ourselves. The quote motivates us to keep in mind to prioritize our own requirements and desires, even when we are surrounded by individuals who depend on us. It is very important to preserve a sense of self and identity, even when we are all things to our neighbors.
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