Begin by knowing yourself, for it would be futile for you to consider others while neglecting yourself. Even if you are wise, your wisdom is lacking something, if it does not enlighten you about yourself. What does it lack, then? In my view, everything. You could know all the mysteries, have explored the surface of the world, the heights of the heavens and the depths of the sea, if you do not know yourself you are like someone who builds without a foundation; it is a ruin that you build, not an edifice. Everything that you do not construct on yourself as a basis is like a heap of dust that the wind will scatter. The person, therefore, whose wisdom does not extend to himself is not wise. The wise man will be wise about himself, and he will be the first to drink the water of his own well.
SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX
