Harmonious Self-Sufficiency: Outer Brilliance and Inner Depth

In today's world, true self-sufficiency appears as a unique combination of a striking external presence and a deep, thoughtful inner life. On one hand, a person's outward appearance is formed by numerous aspects—their behavior, manners, and actions that are evident to those around them. However, the real richness of an individual lies in their inner world, which is continuously shaped by self-development, profound reflection, and the ability to wisely understand one’s own nature. Such a person is capable of distancing themselves from immediate circumstances, observing both themselves and the surrounding world from an outsider’s perspective. This skill enables them to critically assess their actions, make decisions based on personal responsibility, and maintain an inner harmony that distinctly sets them apart from those who remain under the sway of external factors. Ultimately, genuine self-sufficiency emerges as a balance between a visibly demonstrative exterior and a fundamentally developed inner life that reflects a striving for spiritual wholeness and independence, making such an individual truly unique and successful in achieving their ideals.

What Features of Behavior and Appearance Characterize a Self-Sufficient Person?

A self-sufficient person exhibits a dual nature in which their external traits and inner life both differ and complement each other. On one hand, their outward appearance consists of numerous elements that clearly reflect their behavior and actions. However, as noted in source link on page 71, “the external man is made up of many parts, whereas the inner man is perfected by intellect, self-attention, the fear of the Lord, and the grace of God.” This emphasizes that behind the visible manifestations of a personality lies a more profoundly developed inner world built not only on superficial qualities but also on continuous self-improvement and self-reflection.

In addition, a key characteristic of a self-sufficient person is the ability to detach from immediate circumstances, observing both themselves and the surrounding world from a distance. As mentioned in document link on page 283, “the fundamental difference from the animal” is precisely that a human can consciously distance themselves from everything that is given, including their own existence. This ability allows them to critically evaluate their actions and to make decisions based on personal responsibility and inner harmony.

Thus, a self-sufficient individual is defined by the harmony between a striking external aspect, visible to others, and a deep, purposeful inner life that enables them to maintain independence, accurately assess themselves and their role in the world, and make decisions grounded in personal principles and ideals.

Supporting citation(s):
“And Saint Paul explains the duality of man, saying, ‘If the outer man is perishing, the inner man is being renewed’... Thus, the external man is made up of many parts, whereas the inner man is perfected by intellect, self-attention, the fear of the Lord, and the grace of God...” (source: link , page: 71)

“This, and this alone, is his fundamental difference from the animal and indeed from everything that simply exists as it actually is. Man is a being capable of distancing himself from everything that actually is…” (source: link , page: 283)