Human Nature Quotes
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth."— Oscar Wilde
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Meaning of this quote
A fictional role or disguise can reduce inhibition and make uncomfortable truths easier to express.
Key takeaway:
Consider how context shapes what people feel able to say.
Origin of the quote
The Critic as Artist, Part II; collected in Intentions (1891).
Who actually said this?
The remark occurs in a literary dialogue; source identified through a secondary reference.
Source:
Intentions
