Mike’s Musings …
To Thine Own Self Be True – Really?
“To thine own self be true” is a line from Act 1, Scene 3 of Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. It is spoken by King Claudius’ chief minister, Polonius, as part of a speech where he is giving his son, Laertes, his blessing and advice on how to behave whilst at university. (copied) I am not a Shakespeare fan, although I have read and quoted lines from an assortment of his plays. Many have heard Shakespeare’s words and have quoted them as if they were inspired Scripture. They are not and should never be used as God’s authority!
The emboldened line above is one such example. If you take the time to read the entire speech of Polonius cited above, you will find another example – “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” The speech has several scriptural implications, especially the advice Solomon gives his son in the earliest chapters of Proverbs. However, Shakespeare was not Solomon, and certainly not God!
Over the years, the words of great authors and great philosophers have been so popularized and used that many have accepted them as God’s word. Then, when they try to find those words in God’s book, the Bible, they are shocked to learn they cannot be found! Now I muse with you: which is better, to quote God’s word and the inspired words of God’s holy men who composed the Bible, or writers like Shakespeare who borrowed the sentiment of God’s inspired word to write or philosophy? I will take God’s word every time! And yes, that requires diligently reading and studying God’s word to know the difference! Besides, I would prefer being true to God over myself anytime! How about you?
