Self-Awareness and Knowledge

As human beings, we navigate life through our ability to interpret and evaluate. Yet, it must be remembered that the absence of love and knowledge not only distances this ability from truth and fairness, but over time dulls it, rendering it ineffective. For what we perceive in others is often a reflection of what exists within ourselves. If our inner world is narrow, so too are our interpretations; if our knowledge is shallow, our judgments remain incomplete.

Thus, to understand both ourselves and others correctly, we need knowledge nourished by love, and love deepened by knowledge. Interpretation and evaluation fed from the fountain of truth elevate both individuals and society, bestowing serenity upon hearts and enlightenment upon minds. Conversely, selfish judgments filtered through the narrow corridors of ego cast a shadow over life; they diminish the individual and exhaust the community.

True wisdom is a sacred art that uplifts humanity and society, weaving light and love into every action and word. Therefore, anyone seeking to see and understand more deeply must first expand their own inner depth, broadening their knowledge and perspective. One must remember: the intention we attach to each word shapes the life we lead.

Discovering one’s own weaknesses and perceiving oneself in full nakedness is only possible through knowledge. Without knowledge, we cannot confront ourselves, nor distinguish the shadows within. Often, we ask: “Yes, I have weaknesses… but how shall I see them?” The answer is clear: what is lacking is knowledge. Without it, we cannot see profoundly, nor feel deeply.

Throughout life, our experiences influence the nurturing of seeds of inner wisdom; yet it is the knowledge we acquire from the outside world—through reading, listening, thinking, and reflection—that makes these seeds flourish. Integrating new knowledge with inner experience deepens intuition. As intuition deepens, one can confront one’s own flaws and weaknesses more courageously, observing oneself honestly and objectively, free from self-deception.

None of us can observe ourselves entirely from the outside; a part of us always remains shadowed and subjective. Moreover, it is not only our inner world, but also the rigid judgments of society that nourish this darkness and subjectivity. Too often, we view events through the narrow window of preconceptions. Knowledge is the golden key that opens these windows. It acts as an inner mirror; in this reflection, one can discern oneself, one’s faults, and weaknesses.

Some truths are not grasped in a single day. Comprehension requires time, patience, and maturity. At times, learning something and seeing it rightly is not immediate; it requires effort and often the passage of years, sometimes a lifetime. What matters is striving along the path to awareness. Those who truly seek knowledge will attain it—perhaps not today, but inevitably when the time is right.

As it is said, “Man knows his work through himself. To know oneself is the first gateway to knowing God.”

Yusuf Beğtaş