Note to Hamlet, 5.2.139-140: "to know a man well, were to know himself"


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Hamlet,
Act 5, Scene 2, lines 139-140
This is usually explained as meaning, "for, to recognize excellence in another man, one must know oneself." However, I think it could mean, "to know a man well is to know just himself, his unique personality." This interpretation, I believe, fits better with Hamlet's comments about comparing himself with Laertes.