“ If you know you are yourself, you know that you are not somebody else; but do you know that you are yourself? ”
George MacDonald, Lilith (1895). copy citation
| Author | George MacDonald |
|---|---|
| Source | Lilith |
| Topic | knowledge self |
| Date | 1895 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1640/1640-h/1640-h.htm |
Context
“«You have the best of rights,» I replied, «in the fact that you CAN do so!»
«Well answered!» he rejoined. «Tell me, then, who you are—if you happen to know.»
«How should I help knowing? I am myself, and must know!»
«If you know you are yourself, you know that you are not somebody else; but do you know that you are yourself? Are you sure you are not your own father?—or, excuse me, your own fool?—Who are you, pray?»
I became at once aware that I could give him no notion of who I was. Indeed, who was I? It would be no answer to say I was who!” source
«Well answered!» he rejoined. «Tell me, then, who you are—if you happen to know.»
«How should I help knowing? I am myself, and must know!»
«If you know you are yourself, you know that you are not somebody else; but do you know that you are yourself? Are you sure you are not your own father?—or, excuse me, your own fool?—Who are you, pray?»
I became at once aware that I could give him no notion of who I was. Indeed, who was I? It would be no answer to say I was who!” source
Meaning and analysis
