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"我们每个人都是自己的魔鬼,我们把这个世界变成了我们的地狱。"

Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Translations
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Quote meaning
Life can be tough, and sometimes it feels like we're our own worst enemies—sabotaging ourselves at every turn. That’s really the heart of what’s being said here: we often create our own problems and, in doing so, turn our lives into a kind of personal hell. It’s not always external circumstances or other people that bring us down; sometimes, it’s just us.

So, where does this idea come from? Well, it’s been around for a long time. Think about ancient philosophies or even religious teachings. They often talk about inner demons or personal vices—things like greed, jealousy, or fear—that can mess up our lives if we let them. This quote isn’t so much about literal devils but about the internal struggles we all face. It’s a call to look inward and recognize that we have a lot more control over our happiness and misery than we might think.

Let’s take a real-life example to make it a bit clearer. Imagine someone named Sarah. She’s got a decent job, a good set of friends, and a loving family. On the surface, everything looks great. But Sarah has this tendency to doubt herself constantly. She’s always worried she’s not good enough, that people don’t really like her, or that she’s going to mess up at work. These thoughts make her anxious and unhappy, even though there’s no real evidence to support them. She procrastinates on projects because she’s afraid they won’t be perfect, and this just leads to more stress. Sarah’s internal dialogue is making her life a lot harder than it needs to be. Essentially, she’s creating her own hell through her own thoughts and fears.

So, how can we apply this bit of wisdom to our own lives? First, it’s about awareness. Start paying attention to the stories you’re telling yourself. Are they helpful? Are they true? Sometimes, just recognizing that you’re being your own devil is enough to start changing things. Next, try to reframe these thoughts. Instead of thinking, “I’m going to mess this up,” try thinking, “I’m going to do my best, and that’s enough.” It’s a small shift, but it can make a huge difference. And don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from friends, family, or a professional. Sometimes an outside perspective can help you see things more clearly.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend, and they’re venting about how they think they’re horrible at their job and everyone’s just waiting for them to fail. You’d probably tell them they’re being too hard on themselves, right? You’d remind them of all the times they’ve succeeded and how those negative thoughts are just in their head. Well, sometimes you need to be that friend to yourself. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

So, next time you’re feeling down or overwhelmed, take a step back and ask yourself: “Am I turning my world into a hell with my own thoughts and actions?” If the answer is yes, remember—you have the power to change that. It won’t happen overnight, but every little step you take toward kinder, more constructive thinking is a step away from your own personal hell.
Related tags
Emotional turmoil Existentialism Human nature Inner demons Mental struggle Personal responsibility Self-destruction Suffering
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