Odd, though, all these dealings of mine with myself. First I’ve agreed a principle withmyself, now I’m making out a case to myself, and debating my own feelings andintentions with myself. Who is this self, this phantom internal partner, with whom I’mentering into all these arrangements? (I ask myself.) Michael Frayn
About This Quote

The self is a very real and important part of our daily lives. Our self is the person who we are. As such, it is logical to consider our self as a unique individual. However, this idea of the self as an individual is not accurate.

Instead, we do not exist as a single entity, we exist as a collection of many parts. The idea that we can treat ourselves as though we are one person is far off the mark and only serves to cause confusion and inner conflict. Consider that you have a friend named Mary and you want to use her for something or send her some money.

If you do so, you are really sending your friend money and not yourself. And if you want to use yourself as a means of accomplishing something, such as raising money for charity, you should really keep in mind that your actions will be benefiting Mary and not yourself because you are actually Mary’s friend and not your own individual self.

Source: Headlong

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  1. Odd, though, all these dealings of mine with myself. First I’ve agreed a principle withmyself, now I’m making out a case to myself, and debating my own feelings andintentions with myself. Who is this self, this phantom internal partner, with whom I’mentering into all these...

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