live with oneself—retain one’s self-respect:
- The note of hysteria in her voice stopped me dead. The sensible thing to do would have been to continue on my way but if I did I knew I’d find it awfully difficult to live with myself.
live within oneself—(also: live in oneself ) rely on oneself for ideas, beliefs, etc.:
- Americans have a “can-do” spirit that is world famous. Self-reliance and the desire to live within oneself have long defined the American character.
See also: live by oneself / live in oneself / live to oneself.