Commit Quote by Hugh Prather
“Within me is the potential to commit every evil act I see being committed by other men, and unless I feel this potential, I can at any moment be controlled by these same urges. I am free from these urges only if I recognize when I am feeling them, and while feeling them and acknowledging them to be me, choose not to follow them. Only in this way can I begin to regain the disowned parts of me. And only in this way can I know what it is I am criticizing in others.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Journey Within, 1995
Recognizing and owning one's darker impulses allows conscious choice, preventing those urges from controlling us.
In simple terms: Acknowledge urges to choose not to act.
Key Takeaway
Observe, accept, and consciously redirect harmful impulses.
Themes
self-awareness
self-control
psychology
personal growth
Mood
introspective
calm
empowering
Type
psychological
self-help
When to use this quote
- therapy
- meditation
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
shadow self
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you notice when a negative impulse arises?
- What practices help you choose a different response?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring urges can lead to repression and later outbursts.
