Cover ups Quote by Herman Melville
“But when a man suspects any wrong it sometimes happens that if he be already involved in the matter he insensibly strives to cover up his suspicions even from himself. And much this way it was with me. I said nothing and tried to think nothing.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Moby Dick, 1851
He describes self‑deception, covering up one's own suspicions to avoid confronting truth.
In simple terms: He hides his doubts from himself.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront hidden doubts.
Themes
self‑deception
guilt
avoidance
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal crises
- legal investigations
- organizational scandals
- intimate relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we deny our own suspicions?
- How can honesty change outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Self‑deception can perpetuate harm.
![“Before, the myth of photography doesn't lie was used in order to cover up tricks. If I [make a] portrait [of] you, accommodate you, illuminate you, put make up on you or use a filter, am I not manipulating reality? The only difference is that now I can do it from the computer in the postclick…” quote by Pedro Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/71a/pedro-meyer-46329_abuse_before-the-myth-of-photography-doesn-t-l_152663.jpg)
![“Playing the guitar is like telling the truth - you never have to worry about repeating the same [lie] if you told the truth. You don't have to pretend, or cover up. If someone asks you again, you don't have to think about it or worry about it because there it is. It's you.” quote by B. B. King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/928/b-b-king-4531_asks_playing-the-guitar-is-like-telling-the-t_186528.jpg)
![“The following of authority is the denial of intelligence. [It] may help us temporarily to cover up our difficulties and problems; but to avoid a problem is only to intensify it, and in the process, self-knowledge and freedom are abandoned.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/885/anonymous-1_abandoned_the-following-of-authority-is-the-denial_247202.jpg)