Chapter 12: Self

If one holds oneself dear, one must watch oneself carefully, being particularly vigilant during one third of one's time. The author urges constant self-monitoring as essential to wisdom.

One must first establish oneself in proper conduct before attempting to teach or guide others. This prevents suffering and ensures credibility in instruction.

One who masters themselves through discipline can then help subdue others, but self-mastery is acknowledged as extremely difficult. The author establishes that self-control is prerequisite to teaching others.

One's self is the ultimate master and authority over oneself; no other person can serve this role. Finding this subdued self-mastery is a rare and valuable achievement.

Evil one commits through their own actions crushes the foolish person like a diamond breaking stone. The author illustrates how self-generated wickedness becomes self-destructive.

Great wickedness leads one to the exact condition one's enemy would wish for one, like a creeper plant that ensnares the tree. Moral degradation becomes a form of self-imposed bondage.

Evil and harmful deeds are easy to perform, while beneficial and good deeds are difficult. The author identifies a fundamental human tendency toward vice over virtue.

The foolish person who scorns the teachings of the virtuous and follows false doctrine brings about their own destruction. This illustrates self-ruin through rejection of proper guidance.

One alone is responsible for one's own evil deeds, suffering, virtue, and purification; no external person can purify another. The author establishes that moral agency and spiritual purity are entirely individual matters.

One should not abandon one's own responsibilities for another's sake, regardless of how significant; after discerning one's duty, one must remain attentive to it. The author concludes by establishing duty to oneself as paramount.