From his earliest years Cincinnatus, by some strange and…
““From his earliest years Cincinnatus, by some strange and happy chance comprehending his danger, carefully managed to conceal a certain peculiarity. He was impervious to the rays of others, and therefore produced when off his guard a bizarre impression, as of a lone dark obstacle in the world of souls transparent to one other; he learned however to feign translucence, employing a complex system of optical illusions, as it were--but he had only to forget himself, to allow a momentary lapse in self control, in the manipulation of cunningly illuminated facets and angles at which he turned his soul, and immediately there was alarm. In the midst of the excitement of a game his coevals would suddenly forsake him, as if they had sensed that his lucid gaze and the azure of his temples were but a crafty deception and that actually Cincinnatus was opaque. Sometimes, in the midst of sudden silence, the teacher, in a chagrined perplexity, would gather up all the reserves of skin around his eyes, gaze at him for a long while and finally say: "What is wrong with you, Cincinnatus?" Then Cincinnatus would take hold of himself, and, clutching his own self to his breast, would remove that self to a safe place.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Cincinnatus hides his true self behind deceptive appearances, revealing how self‑concealment can lead to isolation and misunderstanding.
In simple terms: He pretends to be transparent but is actually opaque, causing others to distrust him.
Recognize and own your true self to avoid alienation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace dynamics
- creative expression
- mental health
- teaching environments
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does hiding your true self affect your relationships?
- What steps can you take to reveal authenticity?
If one constantly masks authenticity, genuine connections become impossible.