proverb · Words worth keeping
Every man is best known to himself.
Every man is best known to himself.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A person has direct access to experiences and intentions that others may not see. That perspective deserves attention, while self-knowledge can still be incomplete and benefit from honest reflection or feedback.
Example
A musician explains which part of a performance felt difficult and considers a recording and a tutor’s observations alongside that experience.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The proverb gives the person concerned a privileged position in understanding their own life. They know aspects of an experience that an observer might miss or misinterpret. Best is an absolute claim that needs qualification: people may overlook patterns in their conduct or find their own motives difficult to understand. Others may notice something useful without knowing the whole story either. The practical value is to include the person’s account rather than substitute an outsider’s assumption, while leaving room to compare that account with relevant evidence. Self-understanding and thoughtful feedback can work together instead of requiring one to exclude the other.
When to use it
Use it when someone’s own account is being overlooked in a judgement about their experience.
Keep in mind
Self-knowledge is not infallible, and another person’s feedback may reveal a relevant pattern.
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
- Culture
- English