Let thy discontents be thy secrets; if the world knows them ’twill despise thee and increase them.

What did Benjamin Franklin mean by:

Let thy discontents be thy secrets; if the world knows them ’twill despise thee and increase them.

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This quote is a profound piece of wisdom that essentially advises individuals to keep their dissatisfactions or grievances to themselves. The rationale behind this advice is twofold. Firstly, if others become aware of your unhappiness or discontent, they may lose respect for you. This could be because they perceive you as a complainer, as someone who is unable to manage their own issues, or as someone who is perpetually unsatisfied. Secondly, sharing your discontents with the world could potentially amplify them. This could occur as others may not offer the sympathy or solutions you seek, but rather, they might dismiss your concerns or even add to them, thus making you feel worse.

In today’s world, this quote could be seen as particularly relevant in the context of social media. People often share every aspect of their lives, including their discontents, on these platforms. However, doing so can lead to a loss of respect from others who may view this as a form of attention-seeking or a sign of inability to cope with life’s challenges. Moreover, sharing personal problems on such public platforms can attract negative comments or unsolicited advice, which can exacerbate the original discontent.

From a personal development perspective, this quote encourages emotional resilience and self-reliance. It suggests that, instead of relying on others to solve our problems or soothe our discontents, we should seek solutions within ourselves. This does not mean that we should never share our problems or seek help, but rather, we should be mindful of who we share our discontents with and ensure that it is someone who can offer constructive advice or support. By doing so, we can maintain our dignity, protect our mental well-being, and develop problem-solving skills that will serve us in the long run.

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