--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every man, however good he may be, has a…" description: "\"Every man, however good he may be, has a yet better man dwelling in him, which is properly himself, but to whom nevertheless he is often unfaithful. It..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/767/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_better-man_every-man-however-good-he-may-be-has-a-y_2416193.jpg" --- # Every man, however good he may be, has a yet better man… ![“Every man, however good he may be, has a yet better man dwelling in him, which is properly himself, but to whom nevertheless he is often unfaithful. It is to this interior and less mutable being that we should attach ourselves, not to be changeable, every-day man.” quote by Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/767/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_better-man_every-man-however-good-he-may-be-has-a-y_2416193.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/767/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_better-man_every-man-however-good-he-may-be-has-a-y_2416193.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/767/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_better-man_every-man-however-good-he-may-be-has-a-y_2416193.jpg) > “Every man, however good he may be, has a yet better man dwelling in him, which is properly himself, but to whom nevertheless he is often unfaithful. It is to this interior and less mutable being that we should attach ourselves, not to be changeable, every-day man.” [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests each person contains a higher, authentic self that is often neglected, urging alignment with this deeper identity. **In simple terms:** Everyone has a higher self within. Key Takeaway Align with your true inner self. Themes self‑development authenticity inner conflict Mood thoughtful introspective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career decisions - personal relationships - creative pursuits - spiritual practice Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you recognize your deeper self? - What habits keep you from authenticity? A Different Perspective The higher self may be idealized and hard to define. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-man/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Dwelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwelling/) [Dwelling Properly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwelling-properly-2945512/) [Every man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-man/) [Interiors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interiors/) [Man Dwelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-dwelling-6099192/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nevertheless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nevertheless/) [Properly Unfaithful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/properly-unfaithful-6099193/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Unfaithful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfaithful/) ## Related quotes > [The best security for civilization is the dwelling, and upon properly appointed and becoming dwellings depends, more than anything else, the improvement of mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/the-best-security-for-civilization-is-the-dwelling-and-upon-properly/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [If men lived like men indeed, their houses would be temples -- temples which we should hardly dare to injure, and in which it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/if-men-lived-like-men-indeed-their-houses-would-be-temples-temples/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [“If you think that your partner has been cheating, then take a look at their will. If a past lover is in there, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/if-you-think-that-your-partner-has-been-cheating-then-take-a-look-at/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Being single is better than being in an unfaithful relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-single-is-better-than-being-in-an-unfaithful-relationship/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the midst of these pleasing ideas we should be unfaithful to ourselves if we should ever lose sight of the danger to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/in-the-midst-of-these-pleasing-ideas-we-should-be-unfaithful-to/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [Most of the time when someone blames the other for being unfaithful. They're the ones unfaithful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-of-the-time-when-someone-blames-the-other-for-being-unfaithful/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When a married person uses pornography, or is unfaithful, it compromises not just his (or her) purity, but also compromises the spouse's purity. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-o-donnell/when-a-married-person-uses-pornography-or-is-unfaithful-it/) [Christine O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-o-donnell/) > [A woman can give a man a million reasons to be faithful, and he will find one reason to cheat. A man can give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-woman-can-give-a-man-a-million-reasons-to-be-faithful-and-he-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Every one says there always there for you. When you finally need some one, no one is ever there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinahi-martinez/every-one-says-there-always-there-for-you-when-you-finally-need-some/) [Sinahi Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinahi-martinez/) > [Wanting hope in an unfaithful ZONE!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade/wanting-hope-in-an-unfaithful-zone/) [Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade/) > [Why do you tell me all the things you should be telling your girlfriend?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-do-you-tell-me-all-the-things-you-should-be-telling-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Cheaters want you to be faithful while they're being unfaithful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/cheaters-want-you-to-be-faithful-while-they-re-being-unfaithful/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I know that he knows I'm unfaithful and it kills him inside to know that I am happy with some other guy. I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rihanna/i-know-that-he-knows-i-m-unfaithful-and-it-kills-him-inside-to-know/) [Rihanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rihanna/) > [I dont play when it comes to being unfaithful. You cheat, you get no second chance & you lost the best thing that ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-dont-play-when-it-comes-to-being-unfaithful-you-cheat-you-get-no/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The unfaithful woman, if she is known for such by the person concerned, is only unfaithful. If she is thought faithful, she is perfidious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/the-unfaithful-woman-if-she-is-known-for-such-by-the-person-concerned/) [Jean De La Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) ## More by Wilhelm von Humboldt > [The things of the world are ever rising and falling, and in perpetual change; and this change must be according to the will of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/the-things-of-the-world-are-ever-rising-and-falling-and-in-perpetual/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Whatever does not spring from a man's free choice, or is only the result of instruction and guidance, does not enter into his very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/whatever-does-not-spring-from-a-man-s-free-choice-or-is-only-the/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [However great an evil immorality may be, we must not forget that it is not without its beneficial consequences. It is only through extremes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/however-great-an-evil-immorality-may-be-we-must-not-forget-that-it-is/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [To behold, is not necessary to observe, and the power of comparing and combining is only to be obtained by education. It is much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/to-behold-is-not-necessary-to-observe-and-the-power-of-comparing-and/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [The mere reality of life would be inconceivably poor without the charm of fancy, which brings in its bosom, no doubt, as many vain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/the-mere-reality-of-life-would-be-inconceivably-poor-without-the/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [We cannot assume the injustice of any actions which only create offense, and especially as regards religion and morals. He who utters or does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/we-cannot-assume-the-injustice-of-any-actions-which-only-create/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [If it were not somewhat fanciful to suppose that every human excellence is presented, as it were, in one kind of being, we might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/if-it-were-not-somewhat-fanciful-to-suppose-that-every-human/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [If we reason that we want happiness for others, not for ourselves, then we ought justly to be suspected of failing to recognize human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/if-we-reason-that-we-want-happiness-for-others-not-for-ourselves-then/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Besides the pleasure derived from acquired knowledge, there lurks in the mind of man, and tinged with a shade of sadness, an unsatisfactory longing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/besides-the-pleasure-derived-from-acquired-knowledge-there-lurks-in/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Even sleep is characteristic. How beautiful are children in their lovely innocence! how angel-like their blooming features! and how painful and anxious is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/even-sleep-is-characteristic-how-beautiful-are-children-in-their/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [To inquire and to create; these are the grand centres around which all human pursuits revolve, or at least to these objects do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/to-inquire-and-to-create-these-are-the-grand-centres-around-which-all/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Women are in this respect more fortunate than men, that most of their employments are of such a nature that they can at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/women-are-in-this-respect-more-fortunate-than-men-that-most-of-their/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [In every remodelling of the present, the existing condition of things must be supplanted by a new one. Now every variety of circumstances in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/in-every-remodelling-of-the-present-the-existing-condition-of-things/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [“For even if we know very little that is certain about spirit or soul, the true nature of the body, of materiality, is totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/for-even-if-we-know-very-little-that-is-certain-about-spirit-or-soul/) [Wilhelm Von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Prayer is intended to increase the devotion of the individual, but if the individual himself prays he requires no formula; he pours himself forth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/prayer-is-intended-to-increase-the-devotion-of-the-individual-but-if/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) [Explore all 94 Wilhelm von Humboldt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) ## More Better man quotes > [If I were a boy, I think I could understand how it feels to love a girl..I swear I'll be a better man :-/](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-were-a-boy-i-think-i-could-understand-how-it-feels-to-love-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/i-do-not-think-it-is-permitted-that-a-better-man-be-harmed-by-a-worse/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I should've been a better man instead of wasting my time spending my life searching for the finer things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/i-should-ve-been-a-better-man-instead-of-wasting-my-time-spending-my/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [“I think so. You’re saying that God’s putting me through this fire so He can make me a better man.” “Yes. The problem is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-h-westall/i-think-so-you-re-saying-that-god-s-putting-me-through-this-fire-so/) [Jennifer H. Westall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-h-westall/) > [“The knuckles of his hand that had Shaw's name inked across them caught my eye. I pointed to them. "You have her with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-crownover/the-knuckles-of-his-hand-that-had-shaw-s-name-inked-across-them/) [Jay Crownover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-crownover/) > [It is a great mistake to think that the extremist is a better man than the moderate. Usually the difference is not that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-a-great-mistake-to-think-that-the-extremist-is-a-better-man/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [“I've had recurring nightmares that I was loved for who I am...and missed the opportunity to be a better man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muse/i-ve-had-recurring-nightmares-that-i-was-loved-for-who-i-am-and/) [Muse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muse/) > [I shall state silences more competently than ever a better man spangled the butterflies of vertigo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/i-shall-state-silences-more-competently-than-ever-a-better-man/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [“That morning, lying with the woman I loved, a silent promise was formed in my head. I was going to be a better man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/that-morning-lying-with-the-woman-i-loved-a-silent-promise-was-formed/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [I'm better than your next man and if you're swingin' like you're dumber than the next man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-weeknd/i-m-better-than-your-next-man-and-if-you-re-swingin-like-you-re/) [The Weeknd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-weeknd/) > [He’s playing every bit as hard as I am, only he knows what he’s doing and I don’t. Don’t blame me because he’s a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/he-s-playing-every-bit-as-hard-as-i-am-only-he-knows-what-he-s-doing/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [“Gentlemen, Admiral Lord Nelson wrote, of the officers aft on the quarterdeck and the seamen of the fo’c’sle: ‘Aft the most honour—forward the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-stockwin/gentlemen-admiral-lord-nelson-wrote-of-the-officers-aft-on-the/) [Julian Stockwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-stockwin/) > [“But both courses are to be avoided; you should not copy the bad simply because they are many, nor should you hate the many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/but-both-courses-are-to-be-avoided-you-should-not-copy-the-bad-simply/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [“Any thought that you are better or less Than another man Quickly Breaks the wine Glass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ladinsky/any-thought-that-you-are-better-or-less-than-another-man-quickly/) [Daniel Ladinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ladinsky/) > [Remember 'beauty is in GODS EYES' YOU ALL ARE BEAUTIFUL, but only you control your health, I'm not perfect but I'm striving to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/remember-beauty-is-in-gods-eyes-you-all-are-beautiful-but-only-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 390 Better man quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-man/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Every man, however good he may be, has a yet better man dwelling in him, which is properly himself, but to whom nevertheless he is often unfaithful. 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