Knowing others is wisdom; knowing yourself is enlightenment.

This quote comes from Chapter 33 of the Tao Te Ching. The original text reads: "He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened. He who conquers others has physical strength; he who conquers himself is strong. He who is contented is rich. He who acts with persistence has will. He who does not lose his rootedness will endure. He who dies but does not perish has longevity." This chapter embodies Laozi's profound insight into the levels of human understanding, distinguishing between external knowledge of others and internal self-knowledge, emphasizing that self-awareness holds greater importance than knowledge of others.

"He who knows others is wise" refers to those who can accurately observe and understand others' character, abilities, and virtues as possessing wisdom - a wisdom manifested in cognitive abilities toward the external world. "He who knows himself is enlightened" goes further, referring to those who can deeply understand themselves, recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, and grasp their true inner thoughts as truly enlightened. Laozi believes that while understanding others is important, the ability to understand oneself is even more precious, as self-awareness requires greater courage and wisdom. The term "enlightened" here represents a higher level than "wise," embodying an elevation from external cognition to internal awakening.

Legend has it that when Laozi was writing at Hangu Pass, the gatekeeper Yin Xi, seeing his extraordinary demeanor, earnestly requested him to leave behind words of wisdom. After consenting, Laozi proposed this viewpoint while discussing the path of human cultivation. At that time, Laozi observed that people were busy speculating about others and judging right from wrong, but rarely examined themselves, hence pointing out that true wisdom lies in knowing oneself. Another account suggests that while serving as the royal archivist at the Zhou court, Laozi, through observing the deceit and scheming among feudal lords, deeply felt that people excelled at calculating against others but failed to understand themselves, thus issuing the warning "he who knows himself is enlightened." Though these legends cannot be verified, they all reflect the realistic foundation of Laozi's thought.

This saying has produced profound historical influence, becoming the motto of thinkers, politicians, and literary figures throughout the dynasties. Zhuge Liang's "sparing no effort in one's duties until death" in the "Memorial on Sending Out the Troops" embodies profound self-awareness; Wang Yangming's philosophy of "the unity of knowledge and action" also originated from deep self-cognition. In literature and arts, Tao Yuanming's "I cannot bow and scrape for five pecks of rice" demonstrates high self-awareness. This saying has also influenced Chinese political culture, forming the political ideal of "cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world," emphasizing that rulers must first know themselves before governing the state well. In modern times, this saying continues to influence Chinese value concepts, becoming an important maxim for self-improvement.

To practice "he who knows himself is enlightened," one can proceed from the following aspects: Establish a habit of self-reflection, spending 10 minutes daily reviewing one's words and actions, considering what was done well and what needs improvement; Seek feedback from others, proactively asking family, friends, and colleagues for their views on oneself while maintaining an open mindset and avoiding defensive reactions; Record emotional changes through journals or emotion-tracking applications to understand one's reaction patterns in different situations; Attempt personality tests and professional assessments such as MBTI or Big Five personality traits as reference tools for self-knowledge; Set personal goals and standards to test one's true abilities and interests through practice; Study psychological knowledge to understand cognitive biases and psychological defense mechanisms, avoiding self-deception; Regularly practice "digital detox" to reduce dependence on social media and create space for solitary contemplation; Establish a personal growth archive to record one's progress and shortcomings, forming an objective self-evaluation system.