Today, we should candidly express our current thoughts, and tomorrow, we should honestly state our future opinions, even if they are diametrically opposed to our present views.
Believe in your own thoughts, in what you deeply confirm within yourself, which will eventually be acknowledged by others—this is the essence of genius.
Although the language of Moses, Plato, and Milton was plain and unadorned, their status as great figures stems primarily from their disdain for bookish dogmas and their liberation from traditional customs. They spoke their own thoughts, not those of others. One must learn to discover and observe the fleeting sparks in the depths of one's own heart, rather than limiting oneself to gazing at the radiance in the skies of poets and saints. Regrettably, people often neglect their own thoughts, discarding them unconsciously simply because they are their own.
In the works of geniuses, we recognize thoughts we had long since abandoned, now appearing alien yet dignified. Thus, we embrace them with open arms—perhaps no greater lesson can be found in great literature. These recovered thoughts admonish us: even when the voice of the majority is contrary to us, we should adhere to the truths we have confirmed for ourselves, willing to remain uncompromising.
As knowledge grows, people will inevitably realize that jealousy is ignorance and imitation is suicide. Whether in fortune or misfortune, one must master oneself. The potential inherent in a person is boundless; what they are capable of doing is unknown to others. If they do not attempt it, they will remain perpetually unaware of this capability.