proverb · Words worth keeping
Love thyself.
Love thyself.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The instruction urges affection toward oneself. It asks the person to include their own life and needs within the care they offer.
Example
Someone responds to a mistake by correcting it and resting rather than treating the mistake as proof of worthlessness.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Thyself makes the object of love explicit, but the brief phrase does not prescribe a technique or promise a result. A practical interpretation can concern respectful self-treatment rather than constant praise or avoidance of responsibility. Care for oneself can include recognising mistakes and seeking help, without turning imperfection into a reason for contempt.
When to use it
Use it to encourage respectful self-treatment alongside accountability.
Keep in mind
It does not prescribe therapy or require constant positive feelings about oneself.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown