To Thine Own Self Be True

What do Shakespeare's words mean?

To me, it's to stick to your principles, even if those around you have lost theirs, or don't have any, or - worse - try to convince you you're the one who's off-center.

This world is more and more topsy turvy every day - the line between right and wrong is not only blurred; in many places it's been completely erased.

Without a moral compass, do we really know what it means to be true to oneself? Without a properly formed conscience, can we trust our distinction between right and wrong?

Let's back up - Is there still objective right and wrong? No, not just what you or I feel like doing or not. I mean REALLY OBJECTIVE right and wrong - a high standard of behavior that includes controlling natural urges and impulses, and showing courtesy for others.

Burping, farting, picking the nose - all natural urges and impulses. But isn't it still wrong and impolite to freely indulge them in public?

What about the one talking on her damned cell phone every place she goes, without regard for those around her who couldn't care less about her chatter, and who in fact resent her selfish noise pollution and imposition on their privacy?

But why doesn't anyone speak up and put the cellphoneidiot in her place?

Give cellphoneidiot a look of disapproval and she'll likely confront you on it, instead of realize her voice is a little shrill, a little loud, and more than a little inappropriate for a room full of strangers.

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There is a lie that's been perpetrated for years: the lie of "Tolerance." Speak out about something you know is objectively wrong and offensive, and be prepared to be called any number of ugly names because the politically correct police say you should be "Tolerant" - even if it means compromising your principles and playing the role of rug.

Just say no. Dissent is not intolerance, no matter how much the offenders tell you it is.

For "To Thine Own Self Be True" to have the full power it was intended to have, you first have to know what "true" is, and what it is not.