“Personality is only ripe when a man has made the truth his own.”
Kierkegaard’s line hits hard, doesn’t it? It’s like he’s saying, “Look, until you grab hold of your truth, your personality is just waiting in the wings.” For Kierkegaard, this wasn’t a casual thought—it was the cornerstone of what it means to live authentically. He believed that truth is deeply personal, that it’s not out there somewhere in the world waiting to be plucked like a low-hanging apple. No, truth is yours to create, claim, and carry. And only when you do that—when you let this truth change you from the inside out—does your real personality, your “ripened self,” come to life.
Imagine someone who spends years working in a job they can’t stand just because it’s safe and pays the bills. Then, one day, they realize that their real passion lies in something totally different. Let’s say they want to write, make art, or start a nonprofit to help street cats. This is the truth they’ve been quietly carrying around, waiting for the right moment to let it out. When they finally take that leap, embracing their truth and giving it form, their personality ripens; it becomes fuller, richer, and, yes, way more fun.
Kierkegaard is essentially daring us to let go of the surface-level stuff, the social scripts and expectations, and dive into a life that’s honestly ours. Not your neighbor’s, not your boss’s, not your mom’s—but yours. Owning your truth is not just about knowing what you value; it’s about living it. And while it might sound simple, actually doing it is like jumping off a cliff with nothing but a DIY parachute. It’s bold, a bit terrifying, and fully alive.
Kierkegaard didn’t want us to be robots, just rolling through life on autopilot. He wanted us to be humans, fully aware and awake, living with purpose. Living from your truth means you’ll probably take some flak, face misunderstandings, and maybe even feel a bit lonely at times. But the payoff? It’s a life that feels undeniably real. When you’re anchored in your own truth, your personality doesn’t need to be explained, justified, or toned down—it just is.
Five Journal Prompts for Reflection
- What’s one “truth” that you know is uniquely yours? How has this truth influenced who you are today?
- Are there areas in your life where you’re still “playing it safe,” holding back from embracing your own truth?
- How would you feel if you let your truth guide your daily life a bit more? What are the first words that come to mind?
- What are some pressures you feel from others that conflict with your truth? How do you handle that tension?
- Think of a small step you could take this week to align more closely with your truth. What might that look like?