Choices Quote by George Santayana
“In this world we must either institute conventional forms of expression or else pretend that we have nothing to express; the choice lies between a mask and a figleaf.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Life of Reason, Volume III, 1905
Expression must be either conventional or hidden; otherwise we deny our innate need to communicate.
In simple terms: We must express or conceal.
Key Takeaway
Choose authentic expression.
Themes
expression
authenticity
choice
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- artistic performance
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
philosophy of language
self‑presentation
Questions to Reflect On
- What masks do we wear daily?
- How can we safely reveal true selves?
A Different Perspective
Societal pressure can force conformity.
![“[Hillary Clinton] is giving money to N.I.M.H. [National Institute for Mental Health] ultimately to conduct more experiments on two- to four-year-olds. What they're going to do is conduct a lot of clinical studies which actually drug two- to four-year-olds.” quote by Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ddc/peter-breggin-22000_clinicals_hillary-clinton-is-giving-money-to-n-i-m_57008.jpg)
