Identity Quote by Gary Valentine Lachman
““The self is who we truly are, but the persona or mask (the word comes from the Latin for an actor’s mask) is the face we turn to the world in order to deal with it. A persona is absolutely necessary, but the problem is that we often become identified with it, to the detriment of our self, a dilemma that the existential philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre recognized in his notion of mauvaise foi, or “bad faith,” when one becomes associated exclusively with one’s social role.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Essential Jung, Gary Valentine Lachman, 1998
The true self is our core identity, while the persona is a social mask we adopt; overidentifying with the mask can obscure the authentic self, echoing Sartre’s concept of bad faith.
In simple terms: Self vs. mask; authentic identity can social roles
Key Takeaway
Recognize and balance your inner self with outward roles; avoid letting the mask dominate your identity.
Themes
identity
authenticity
existentialism
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- career counseling
- personal therapy
- relationship building
- public speaking
Key Concepts
self-concept
social masks
bad faith
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate your true self from the roles you play?
- When does a social mask become a hindrance?
A Different Perspective
The persona can be protective but may also limit growth if overused.
![“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s self. Everything in the worldly life is nothing but intoxication. The food is intoxicating, the senses are intoxicating. [Therefore] Go to the one, who…” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b3/dada-bhagwan-31_absolute_in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-into_3662.jpg)
