You must trust yourself more than you trust others. Pay

Hear the wisdom of Suze Orman, spoken with the clarity of one who has counseled countless souls upon the path of wealth and responsibility: “You must trust yourself more than you trust others. Pay attention to your inner voice—it will tell you if how and in what you are investing is right for you.” Though these words are born from the realm of finance, they rise above it to touch the deeper currents of life. For they speak of the eternal struggle between dependence on the counsel of others and the courage to hear the still small voice within.

The first command is clear: “trust yourself.” For in every age, men and women have looked outward, seeking sages, rulers, priests, or advisors to guide them. But the voice of Orman is a reminder that no counsel, however wise, can replace the inner compass. To trust oneself is not arrogance, but the recognition that within each heart lies a conscience, a discernment, and a spirit capable of perceiving truth. To ignore this inner voice is to walk as a stranger in one’s own life, but to heed it is to live with integrity and strength.

Yet she does not say reject all counsel. No—her words are a balance. Others may advise, but your inner voice must decide. Consider Socrates, who listened always to his daimonion—the quiet inner warning that stayed his hand from error. Though Athens condemned him, he remained true to that inner voice, preferring death to betrayal of his own soul. His life is a testimony that external voices may mislead, but the faithful listening to the inward guide preserves the dignity of man.

History also gives us the tale of Florence Nightingale. When the voices of men told her to remain in the comfort of her home, she heeded the inner call that drew her to the battlefields of Crimea. Against criticism, she trusted herself, and by doing so transformed not only medicine but the lives of countless wounded soldiers. Had she silenced her own discernment, the world would have been poorer. Her courage was the embodiment of Orman’s wisdom: self-trust allied with higher vision leads to lasting change.

The meaning of Orman’s words for our age is profound. In a world filled with noise—media, opinions, experts, and advertisements—many surrender their judgment. They invest their money, their time, even their hearts, according to the persuasion of others. But the wise must pause, must turn inward, and must ask: Is this right for me? Is this in harmony with my values, my calling, my peace? For when the inner voice is ignored, no success can satisfy. But when it is honored, even modest gains bring contentment, for they align with the soul.

The lesson is clear: cultivate the courage to trust your own discernment. Do not let fear drive you to follow blindly the crowd. Let others speak, but let your heart weigh their words. Seek knowledge, but remember that wisdom must be confirmed within. In finances, in career, in love, in every path of life, learn to pause and listen. That whisper within—quiet, yet insistent—will often know more than the clamorous world outside.

Practical steps follow. Begin by practicing stillness: before great decisions, silence the outer noise, and listen. Reflect upon past moments when you ignored your intuition and later regretted it—let these remind you of the power of self-trust. At the same time, note the times when you followed your inner conviction, even against advice, and found peace in the outcome. Build this habit until your soul is no longer a stranger but a trusted companion.

So I say to you, O children of tomorrow: trust yourself more than you trust others. Not in pride, but in reverence for the divine compass within you. Pay attention to your inner voice, for it is the guardian of your path. In money, in choices, in the living of your days, let it guide you to what is right for you. For in the end, the world may advise, but it is your soul that must live with the harvest of your decisions. And he who lives by the counsel of his own faithful heart shall walk in peace, unshaken by the storms of the crowd.