This quote asserts that merely changing your physical location won’t necessarily lead to personal growth or transformation. The ‘yourself’ Socrates refers to is our mindset, attitudes, and preconceived notions that we carry with us wherever we go. If we don’t change these, no matter how far we travel or how many new experiences we encounter, we won’t benefit from them because we’re viewing everything through the same old lens.

The quote suggests that the key to personal growth is self-reflection and self-improvement. It underlines the importance of introspection and the need to examine and challenge our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes. Only by doing this can we truly grow and benefit from new experiences, whether we’re travelling or not.

In today’s world, this concept is highly relevant. With globalization and technological advancements, travel has become more accessible. Many people believe that by moving to a new city or country, they can start fresh and leave their problems behind. However, unless they change their mindset and attitudes, they’ll likely encounter the same issues because they’re viewing situations through the same perspective.

In personal development, this quote can be applied to the concept of ‘inner work’. It suggests that real change comes from within, not from external circumstances. For example, someone may think that getting a new job or moving to a new city will make them happier. But if they carry the same negative thought patterns or limiting beliefs, they’ll likely find that their happiness is short-lived.

Instead, they need to work on changing their mindset, developing more positive thought patterns, and challenging their limiting beliefs. Only then can they truly benefit from new experiences and achieve lasting personal growth. This inner work is often harder and takes longer than making external changes, but it’s also more rewarding and leads to more sustainable results.