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A. Depends on what you mean by 'know yourself'. If you mean what the ancient Greeks meant ("Know your place"), then yes, it is possible. But if you mean something more like what moderns mean by it, it is not possible, and to a certain extent, it is not even a desirable goal. The ethical life should be one of action, not one of navel-gazing, and introspection is only valuable if it improves the quality of our actions.
B. The best we can.
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"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."
"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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