The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We often hide our true selves from others, leading to a loss of self-awareness.
This quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld suggests that in our attempts to present ourselves in a certain way to others, we may lose touch with our authentic selves. The constant adaptation and disguise we wear can make us forget who we really are, ultimately leading to a disconnection between our identity and our external persona.
Themes
IdentitySelf-AwarenessDisguiseAuthenticityPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of authenticity in personal development.
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The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
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To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
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