--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you cannot mould yourself entirely as…" description: "\"If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?\" — Thomas a Kempis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/thomas-a-kempis-721_diversity_if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as_2854948.png" --- # If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish… ![“If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?” quote by Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/thomas-a-kempis-721_diversity_if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as_2854948.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/thomas-a-kempis-721_diversity_if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as_2854948.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/thomas-a-kempis-721_diversity_if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as_2854948.png) > “If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?” [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If you cannot fully shape yourself as desired, you cannot expect others to fully meet your expectations. **In simple terms:** Self‑improvement is prerequisite to expecting perfection from others. Key Takeaway Work on personal growth before demanding it from others. Themes self‑improvement expectations relationships humility growth Mood reflective motivational Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - self‑help reading - therapy - coaching - team building Key Concepts philosophy psychology personal development Questions to Reflect On - How can you align expectations with reality? - What steps improve self‑development? A Different Perspective People often project their own shortcomings onto others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Diversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diversity/) [Entirely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entirely/) [Entirely Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entirely-wish-3820164/) [Expect People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect-people/) [Mould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mould/) [Mould Entirely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mould-entirely-3820165/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Entirely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-entirely-2208389/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Every configuration of people is an entirely new universe unto itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-cashore/every-configuration-of-people-is-an-entirely-new-universe-unto-itself/) [Kristin Cashore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-cashore/) > [“Because two people can’t have entirely different opinions without one of them being final.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-strout/because-two-people-can-t-have-entirely-different-opinions-without-one/) [Elizabeth Strout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-strout/) > [Civilization is the art of living together with people not entirely like oneself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-cam/civilization-is-the-art-of-living-together-with-people-not-entirely/) [Helen Cam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-cam/) > [People are entirely too disbelieving of coincidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/people-are-entirely-too-disbelieving-of-coincidence/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [I think disparaging something you don't understand, while a very normal thing - I expect more from serious people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zal-batmanglij/i-think-disparaging-something-you-don-t-understand-while-a-very/) [Zal Batmanglij](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zal-batmanglij/) > [When you give, expect nothing from people and everything from Allah.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-suleiman/when-you-give-expect-nothing-from-people-and-everything-from-allah/) [Omar Suleiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-suleiman/) > [All the work that I have done is the type I would want to watch. If I can't watch it myself how can I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/supriya-pathak/all-the-work-that-i-have-done-is-the-type-i-would-want-to-watch-if-i/) [Supriya Pathak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/supriya-pathak/) > [“Don't expect too much from people- expect it from yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radostin-chernev/don-t-expect-too-much-from-people-expect-it-from-yourself/) [Radostin Chernev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radostin-chernev/) > [“Sometimes we expect more that people are capable of giving at the moment”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasie-west/sometimes-we-expect-more-that-people-are-capable-of-giving-at-the/) [Kasie West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasie-west/) > [You can't expect people to give you the things you love, unless you know how to ask.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genevieve-valentine/you-can-t-expect-people-to-give-you-the-things-you-love-unless-you/) [Genevieve Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genevieve-valentine/) > [I didn't expect people would embrace 'Ang Probinsyano' the way they did during its first year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-martin/i-didn-t-expect-people-would-embrace-ang-probinsyano-the-way-they-did/) [Coco Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-martin/) > [You can't really pretend something is rosier than it is and expect people to buy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-der-beek/you-can-t-really-pretend-something-is-rosier-than-it-is-and-expect/) [James Van Der Beek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-der-beek/) > [Don't expect people to respect you for what you are "planning" to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/don-t-expect-people-to-respect-you-for-what-you-are-planning-to-do/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [It's a blessing to have to people to lean on and people to be there to help you go through things that you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-oubre-jr/it-s-a-blessing-to-have-to-people-to-lean-on-and-people-to-be-there/) [Kelly Oubre, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-oubre-jr/) > [“I don't expect people to know me...I am just someone you need to get along with. I am who I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bowman/i-don-t-expect-people-to-know-me-i-am-just-someone-you-need-to-get/) [Bowman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bowman/) ## More by Thomas a Kempis > [Have therefore zeal to better thyself and then mayst thou have zeal to thy neighbor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/have-therefore-zeal-to-better-thyself-and-then-mayst-thou-have-zeal/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [And if thy heart be straight with God then every creature shall be to thee a mirror of life and a book of holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/and-if-thy-heart-be-straight-with-god-then-every-creature-shall-be-to/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Patience is necessary in this life because so much of life is fraught with adversity. No matter how hard we try, our lives will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/patience-is-necessary-in-this-life-because-so-much-of-life-is-fraught/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [To take no account of oneself, but always to think well and highly of others is the highest wisdom and perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/to-take-no-account-of-oneself-but-always-to-think-well-and-highly-of/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [It is easier not to speak a word at all than to speak more words than we should.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/it-is-easier-not-to-speak-a-word-at-all-than-to-speak-more-words-than/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Be Yourself -The man who is neither bent upon pleasing his fellows nor afraid of offending them will enjoy great peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/be-yourself-the-man-who-is-neither-bent-upon-pleasing-his-fellows-nor/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“0 true and heavenly grace, without which our own merits are nothing, and our natural gifts of no account! Neither arts nor riches, beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/0-true-and-heavenly-grace-without-which-our-own-merits-are-nothing/) [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [If you would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from heaven.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-would-endeavor-like-men-of-courage-to-stand-in-the-battle/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not to rest at home. No man safely talketh but he who loveth to hold his peace.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/no-man-safely-goeth-abroad-who-loveth-not-to-rest-at-home-no-man/) [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“Nature has a relish for knowing secrets and hearing news. It wishes to appear abroad and to have sense experiences. It wishes to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/nature-has-a-relish-for-knowing-secrets-and-hearing-news-it-wishes-to/) [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Love is watchful. Sleeping, it does not slumber. Wearied, it is not tired. Pressed, it is not straitened. Alarmed, it is not confused, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/love-is-watchful-sleeping-it-does-not-slumber-wearied-it-is-not-tired/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [If you bear the cross gladly, it will bear you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-bear-the-cross-gladly-it-will-bear-you/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will be worthy to receive greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/be-thankful-for-the-smallest-blessing-and-you-will-be-worthy-to/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [If you cast away one cross, you will certainly find another, and perhaps a heavier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-cast-away-one-cross-you-will-certainly-find-another-and/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/dispose-thyself-to-patience-rather-than-to-comfort-and-to-the-bearing/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) [Explore all 387 Thomas a Kempis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) ## More Diversity quotes > [The teacher is one who makes two ideas grow where only one grew before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-teacher-is-one-who-makes-two-ideas-grow-where-only-one-grew-before/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [I think the issues around diversity of all kinds are really a huge problem in the startup world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-lyons/i-think-the-issues-around-diversity-of-all-kinds-are-really-a-huge/) [Daniel Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-lyons/) > [I hope that we always have diversity, that we have equality and representation every step of the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsai-martin/i-hope-that-we-always-have-diversity-that-we-have-equality-and/) [Marsai Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsai-martin/) > [Being an inclusive place means being inclusive for all people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-sweet/being-an-inclusive-place-means-being-inclusive-for-all-people/) [Julie Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-sweet/) > [In such a diversity it was impossible I should be disposed to melancholy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-boone/in-such-a-diversity-it-was-impossible-i-should-be-disposed-to/) [Daniel Boone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-boone/) > [If you chose a particular religion, you were siding with the government religion of whatever region you were in. That's never been true in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/if-you-chose-a-particular-religion-you-were-siding-with-the/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [The growth of race relations management, diversity training and 'promoting good relations' has come at a cost. We are more sensitized to racism, yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munira-mirza/the-growth-of-race-relations-management-diversity-training-and/) [Munira Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munira-mirza/) > [Have therefore zeal to better thyself and then mayst thou have zeal to thy neighbor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/have-therefore-zeal-to-better-thyself-and-then-mayst-thou-have-zeal/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“Research on organised abuse emphasises the diversity of organised abuse cases, and the ways in which serious forms of child maltreatment cluster in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/research-on-organised-abuse-emphasises-the-diversity-of-organised/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [“Pilgrim of the heart, oneness in our vein - love is the revolution, Human is the name.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/pilgrim-of-the-heart-oneness-in-our-vein-love-is-the-revolution-human/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [While our bipartisan establishment worships diversity, Trump saw Middle America recoiling from the demographic change brought about by Third World invasions. And he promised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/while-our-bipartisan-establishment-worships-diversity-trump-saw/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [“Why I am Passionate and Dedicated 1000% to producing and bringing my books Loving Summer, Bitter Frost, and other book series to the Screen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailin-gow/why-i-am-passionate-and-dedicated-1000-to-producing-and-bringing-my/) [Kailin Gow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailin-gow/) > [There's this idea that inclusivity and seeking diversity is this agenda. And the truth is, it is. It's an agenda, but it's about addition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-ackie/there-s-this-idea-that-inclusivity-and-seeking-diversity-is-this/) [Naomi Ackie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-ackie/) > [We're never all going to agree with each other. We have to learn to value the diversity. It's one of the presumable principles of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-r-ehrlich/we-re-never-all-going-to-agree-with-each-other-we-have-to-learn-to/) [Paul R. Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-r-ehrlich/) > [Australia has embraced migrants from all different races, making us one of the most multiracial nations on earth. Most have assimilated and are proud…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-hanson/australia-has-embraced-migrants-from-all-different-races-making-us/) [Pauline Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-hanson/) [Browse all 2,733 Diversity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diversity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas a Kempis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as-you-would-wish-how-can-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Diversity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as-you-would-wish-how-can-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/thomas-a-kempis-721_diversity_if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as_2854948.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/thomas-a-kempis-721_diversity_if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as_2854948.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/thomas-a-kempis-721_diversity_if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as_2854948.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to…” — Thomas a Kempis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas a Kempis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you cannot mould yourself entirely...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as-you-would-wish-how-can-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-cannot-mould-yourself-entirely-as-you-would-wish-how-can-you/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```