"إذا لم تخبر الحقيقة عن نفسك فلا يمكنك إخبارها عن الآخرين"

To get to the heart of it, this quote is really about self-awareness and honesty. It's saying that if you can't be honest with yourself, then you can't possibly understand or convey the truth about others. Think of it like trying to clean someone else's glasses while your own are smudged — you just can't see clearly enough to do it right.

This idea comes from a place of deep introspection and authenticity. It’s like saying that our perception of the world and others is heavily filtered through our self-awareness. If we're deluding ourselves about our own motives, flaws, or strengths, we'll project those delusions onto others and misinterpret their behavior and character. This concept is crucial in any form of relationship, whether personal or professional.

Take, for example, a manager at work who isn't honest about their own shortcomings. Maybe they’re disorganized but won't admit it. When a project fails, they might blame their team for not being diligent enough, rather than recognizing their lack of organization as the root cause. If they can't see and admit their own role in the problem, they're not equipped to accurately assess or guide their team's performance. This isn't just about being fair to others; it's about being effective and truthful in leadership.

Applying this wisdom in your own life starts with introspection. Spend some time reflecting on your actions, your motives, and your feelings. Ask yourself tough questions and be willing to face uncomfortable truths. It’s not about beating yourself up but about understanding who you really are, warts and all. This self-awareness will make you more empathetic and fair in your judgments about others.

Imagine you’re having a heart-to-heart with a close friend who’s going through a rough time. If you haven't been honest with yourself about your own struggles, you might offer superficial advice that doesn't really help. You might say, "Just stay positive," because that's what you tell yourself, even though deep down, you're not dealing with your issues effectively either. But if you’ve done the hard work of facing your own challenges, you can offer advice that’s grounded in real experience. You might share what’s genuinely helped you, or you might even say, "I don’t have all the answers, but I’m here for you."

It’s like peeling an onion — the more layers of your own truth you expose, the more you can see and appreciate the layers in others. Start small. Maybe it’s admitting to yourself that you’re not happy in your job or that you’ve been unfairly critical of a partner. These realizations can be tough, but they’re the first step in being able to genuinely connect with and understand others.

So, next time you're tempted to judge someone's actions or motivations, pause and reflect. Are you seeing them clearly, or are your own biases and unexamined truths clouding your vision? The more honest you are with yourself, the more accurately you can see the world around you. And that clarity is a gift — to yourself and to everyone you interact with.