Today, I’m going to talk about one of the quotes by Oscar Wilde. The famous Irish writer said, “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” In my opinion, this quote carries a very deep meaning. It represents a situation that most of us quietly face. The first thing I want to mention is the meaning of this quote. It’s about people not being honest when they are using their own names, but instead expressing their true desires when their identity isn’t known.
At this point, I’m reminded of a book I read 2 or 3 months ago. The book is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Let me tell you a little bit about it. In the book, a well-known doctor named Dr. Jekyll discovers a potion that allows him to transform into a different identity. As the story progresses, he releases the evil thoughts that have been buried in the deepest corners of his mind and becomes honest with himself for the first time. It’s not just about being honest—it’s about how people aren’t living their lives the way they want.
For example, activists around the world often wear masks. This is because they don’t want to reveal their identity while being completely honest.
The reason behind this lies in the strict standards set by society. People want to be accepted in society, as it’s a natural instinct. So, most of the time, they lie in order to be more liked by the people around them. Society always supports those who share its ideas.