De la sincérité envers soi-même

Name: De la sincérité envers soi-même
Author: Jacques Rivière

By Jacques Rivière

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Essays, Letters & Speeches French Literature Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

The essay contrasts the easy, social form of honesty shown to others with the riskier task of being honest with oneself, arguing that genuine self-sincerity is an active, demanding practice. Spontaneous feelings are judged unreliable; true inward truth must be hunted, tested and assembled through careful self-examination. The author describes sincerity as a deliberate construction of the soul that requires vigilance, subtlety and repeated effort, and warns that excessive self‑scrutiny can drain naive feeling or provoke crippling doubt. The piece closes by exploring the tension between moral prudence that ignores dangerous impulses and a painstaking interior honesty.

About the Author

Jacques Rivière

Jacques Rivière was a French writer and literary critic known for his insightful explorations of literature and art. He contributed significantly to the understanding of various authors, including Baudelaire and André Gide, through his critical essays and studies. His notable works include "De la sincérité envers soi-même," which reflects on personal authenticity, and "L'Allemand," which delves into themes of identity and culture. Rivière's essays, such as those compiled in "Études," showcase his deep engagement with the works of prominent figures in literature and the arts, establishing him as an important voice in early 20th-century French literary criticism.