--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wonder whether I should gain anything…" description: "\"I wonder whether I should gain anything by the attempt to assume a character which is not mine. My wavering manner, born of doubt and scruple, has at l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/henri-frederic-amiel-1276_advantage_i-wonder-whether-i-should-gain-anything_1555165.jpg" --- # I wonder whether I should gain anything by the attempt to… ![“I wonder whether I should gain anything by the attempt to assume a character which is not mine. My wavering manner, born of doubt and scruple, has at least the advantage of rendering all the different shades of my thought, and of being sincere. If it were to become terse, affirmative, resolute…” quote by Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/henri-frederic-amiel-1276_advantage_i-wonder-whether-i-should-gain-anything_1555165.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/henri-frederic-amiel-1276_advantage_i-wonder-whether-i-should-gain-anything_1555165.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2a/henri-frederic-amiel-1276_advantage_i-wonder-whether-i-should-gain-anything_1555165.jpg) > “I wonder whether I should gain anything by the attempt to assume a character which is not mine. My wavering manner, born of doubt and scruple, has at least the advantage of rendering all the different shades of my thought, and of being sincere. If it were to become terse, affirmative, resolute, would it not be a mere imitation?” [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Questioning the value of adopting false personas; authenticity versus performance in self‑expression. **In simple terms:** Is pretending worth it? Key Takeaway Seek genuine self‑expression. Themes authenticity identity self‑reflection Mood introspective thoughtful Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - personal relationships - creative writing - public speaking - leadership Key Concepts philosophy psychology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - When does role‑playing become harmful? - How can honesty coexist with social masks? A Different Perspective Adopting a role can be useful but may mask true feelings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Affirmative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affirmative/) [Being sincere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-sincere/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Resolute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolute/) [Scruples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scruples/) [Shade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shade/) [Sincere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincere/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [I've noticed though that people will always assume you are the character you last played. I guess it's a compliment to playing your character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-haydon/i-ve-noticed-though-that-people-will-always-assume-you-are-the/) [Lisa Haydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-haydon/) > [Those who assume a character which does not belong to them, only make themselves ridiculous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/those-who-assume-a-character-which-does-not-belong-to-them-only-make/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [I do assume that a character or a place is inexhaustible and will always reward further attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/i-do-assume-that-a-character-or-a-place-is-inexhaustible-and-will/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [It's weird. I feel like people assume if a character is very different than you, that means it's difficult to get into their head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-waterston/it-s-weird-i-feel-like-people-assume-if-a-character-is-very-different/) [Katherine Waterston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-waterston/) > [I feel like people assume if a character is very different than you, that means it's difficult to get into their head or into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-waterston/i-feel-like-people-assume-if-a-character-is-very-different-than-you/) [Katherine Waterston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-waterston/) > [The wise men of antiquity, when they wished to make the whole world peaceful and happy, first put their own States into proper order.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-wise-men-of-antiquity-when-they-wished-to-make-the-whole-world/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Empower the people around you, from the janitor to the athletic director. You do that by being sincere, caring about others, and then putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-gunter/empower-the-people-around-you-from-the-janitor-to-the-athletic/) Sue Gunter > [“It's not unfortunate that people aren't genuine; what's unfortunate is that insincere people try to act sincere and in doing so, mislead and deceive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/it-s-not-unfortunate-that-people-aren-t-genuine-what-s-unfortunate-is-2/) [C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/) > [Once we become conscious of a feeling and attempt to make a corresponding form, we are engaged in an activity which, far from being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-read/once-we-become-conscious-of-a-feeling-and-attempt-to-make-a/) [Herbert Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-read/) > [Being sincere, dedicated and honest is the key. 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Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/things-being-investigated-knowledge-became-complete-their-knowledge/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Well, you know what they say in Hollywood - the most important thing is being sincere, even if you have to fake it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-romero/well-you-know-what-they-say-in-hollywood-the-most-important-thing-is/) [Cesar Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-romero/) > [A wit should no more be sincere, than a woman constant; one argues a decay of parts, as to other of beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/a-wit-should-no-more-be-sincere-than-a-woman-constant-one-argues-a/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) ## More by Henri Frederic Amiel > [There is only one way of not hating those who do us wrong, and that is by doing them good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/there-is-only-one-way-of-not-hating-those-who-do-us-wrong-and-that-is/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Latent genius is but a presumption. Everything that can be, is bound to come into being, and what never comes into being is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/latent-genius-is-but-a-presumption-everything-that-can-be-is-bound-to/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Order is power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/order-is-power/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Knowledge, love, power-there is the complete life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/knowledge-love-power-there-is-the-complete-life/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/life-is-short-and-we-have-never-too-much-time-for-gladdening-the/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Each bud flowers but once and each flower has but its minute of perfect beauty; so, in the garden of the soul each feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/each-bud-flowers-but-once-and-each-flower-has-but-its-minute-of/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [We are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/we-are-never-more-discontented-with-others-than-when-we-are/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Only evil grows of itself, while for goodness we want effort and courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/only-evil-grows-of-itself-while-for-goodness-we-want-effort-and/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [A man must be able to cut a knot, for everything cannot be untied; he must know how to disengage what is essential from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/a-man-must-be-able-to-cut-a-knot-for-everything-cannot-be-untied-he/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Our greatest illusion is to believe that we are what we think ourselves to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/our-greatest-illusion-is-to-believe-that-we-are-what-we-think/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Charm is the quality in others that makes us more satisfied with ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/charm-is-the-quality-in-others-that-makes-us-more-satisfied-with/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [The philosopher aspires to explain away all mysteries, to dissolve them into light. Mystery on the other hand is demanded and pursued by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/the-philosopher-aspires-to-explain-away-all-mysteries-to-dissolve/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [The growth and development of the soul is more important than power and glory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/the-growth-and-development-of-the-soul-is-more-important-than-power/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [He who asks of life nothing but the improvement of his own nature... is less liable than anyone else to miss and waste life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/he-who-asks-of-life-nothing-but-the-improvement-of-his-own-nature-is/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Christianity, if it is to triumph over pantheism, must absorb it. To our pusillanimous eyes Jesus would have borne the marks of a hateful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/christianity-if-it-is-to-triumph-over-pantheism-must-absorb-it-to-our/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) [Explore all 262 Henri Frederic Amiel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) ## More Advantage quotes > [Dogmatists have one advantage: they are poor listeners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/dogmatists-have-one-advantage-they-are-poor-listeners/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Talented people can predict with great accuracy what's about to happen just a tiny bit ahead of their competitors. It might be two seconds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/talented-people-can-predict-with-great-accuracy-what-s-about-to/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [All I ever wanted was an unfair advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/all-i-ever-wanted-was-an-unfair-advantage/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Part of the advantage, and part of the result of trying to be a producer and director, are the practical things, you find. 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I think it's just ingrained in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-blatz/for-some-reason-when-i-decide-to-pursue-something-i-never-have-any/) [Kelly Blatz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-blatz/) > [I think I have good hands, so I try to use them to my advantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-andreescu/i-think-i-have-good-hands-so-i-try-to-use-them-to-my-advantage/) [Bianca Andreescu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-andreescu/) > [My influences are jazz, blues, European classical music; they are rock music and pop music. So many kinds of music. 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