Quote by Oscar Wilde

Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural passions. His virtues are not real to him. His sins, if there are such things as sins, are borrowed. He becomes an echo of some one else's music, an actor of a part that has not been written for him. The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly -- that is what each of us is here for. People are afraid of themselves, nowadays. They have forgotten the highest of all duties, the duty that one owes to oneself. Of course they are charitable. They feed the hungry, and clothe the beggar. But their own souls starve, and are naked. Courage has gone out of our race. Perhaps we never really had it. The terror of society, which is the basis of morals, the terror of God, which is the secret of religion -- these are the two things that govern us.

Summary

This quote highlights the idea that if we aim to influence someone, we risk taking away their individuality and suppressing their true nature. The author suggests that in the pursuit of self-development and living authentically, individuals have become afraid of their own identities, neglecting their personal growth and losing the courage to be themselves. Society's moral standards and religious beliefs dictate our actions and decisions, limiting our freedom and self-expression. The quote calls for a focus on the essential duty one has to oneself, emphasizing the importance of nurturing our own souls and finding the courage to live true to ourselves.