Skip to content

Carl-jung Quote by Joseph Campbell

“To become—in Jung’s terms—individuated, to live as a released individual, one has to know how and when to put on and to put off the masks of one’s various life roles. ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do,’ and when at home, do not keep on the mask of the role you play in the Senate chamber. But…” quote by Joseph Campbell
Download Open image
““To become—in Jung’s terms—individuated, to live as a released individual, one has to know how and when to put on and to put off the masks of one’s various life roles. ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do,’ and when at home, do not keep on the mask of the role you play in the Senate chamber. But this, finally, is not easy, since some of the masks cut deep. They include judgment and moral values. They include one’s pride, ambition, and achievement. They include one’s infatuations. It is a common thing to be overly impressed by and attached to masks, either some mask of one’s own or the mana-masks of others. The work of individuation, however, demands that one should not be compulsively affected in this way. The aim of individuation requires that one should find and then learn to live out of one’s own center, in control of one’s for and against. And this cannot be achieved by enacting and responding to any general masquerade of fixed roles.””

Joseph Campbell

About This Quote

Source Book: The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, 1949

Individuation requires shedding role masks to act from one’s true center, despite deep‑rooted identities and values.

In simple terms: To be authentic, drop social masks and follow your inner self.

Key Takeaway

Seek inner authenticity over external roles.

Themes

psychology self growth authenticity

Mood

introspective motivational

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • career decisions
  • personal therapy
  • creative work
  • relationship dynamics

Key Concepts

Jungian individuation role theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • Which masks serve you?
  • How can you gently release harmful masks?
A Different Perspective

Masks can be protective and hard to remove.

3.0 out of 5 (3 ratings)

More by Joseph Campbell

Explore all 711 Joseph Campbell quotes

More Carl-jung quotes

Browse all 18 Carl-jung quotes