--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The sociopaths - that's the real problem…" description: "\"The sociopaths - that's the real problem. The whole street demeanor is about pretending to be a sociopath as well so that the real ones can't find you...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/723/mat-johnson-20820_demeanor_the-sociopaths-that-s-the-real-problem-t_1954504.jpg" --- # The sociopaths - that's the real problem. The whole street… ![“The sociopaths - that's the real problem. The whole street demeanor is about pretending to be a sociopath as well so that the real ones can't find you.” quote by Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/723/mat-johnson-20820_demeanor_the-sociopaths-that-s-the-real-problem-t_1954504.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/723/mat-johnson-20820_demeanor_the-sociopaths-that-s-the-real-problem-t_1954504.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/723/mat-johnson-20820_demeanor_the-sociopaths-that-s-the-real-problem-t_1954504.jpg) > “The sociopaths - that's the real problem. The whole street demeanor is about pretending to be a sociopath as well so that the real ones can't find you.” [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often act tough to hide vulnerability, making genuine sociopaths harder to spot. **In simple terms:** Pretending to be tough hides true sociopaths. Key Takeaway Stay authentic, avoid false bravado. Themes authenticity trust social dynamics Mood cautious reflective Type advice observational When to use this quote - online interactions - workplace - neighborhood - dating - team building Key Concepts psychology social masking identity perception Questions to Reflect On - How does pretending protect you? - What are the costs of inauthenticity? A Different Perspective False bravado can damage relationships and trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Demeanor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demeanor/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Psychopath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychopath/) [Real problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-problems/) [Sociopath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sociopath/) [Sociopaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sociopaths/) [Streets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streets/) ## Related quotes > [Usually sociopaths will look down upon us for that very reason - that we're gullible. We're weak. One person told me that he thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stout/usually-sociopaths-will-look-down-upon-us-for-that-very-reason-that/) [Martha Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stout/) > [For every man that ever walked the Earth, except maybe the sociopaths, when it comes to talking to pretty girls... it's just stark terror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-lorre/for-every-man-that-ever-walked-the-earth-except-maybe-the-sociopaths/) [Chuck Lorre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-lorre/) > [Creative people like to think in unconventional ways, dislike rules, are easily bored, are independent, like to experiment, and enjoy being their own bosses.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duncan-long/creative-people-like-to-think-in-unconventional-ways-dislike-rules/) Duncan Long > [“While I don't think sociopaths have any sort of moral urge to do good things, I think they can and do act morally in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-e-thomas-2/while-i-don-t-think-sociopaths-have-any-sort-of-moral-urge-to-do-good/) [M. E. Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-e-thomas-2/) > [You have psychopaths and sociopaths in charge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-celente/you-have-psychopaths-and-sociopaths-in-charge/) [Gerald Celente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-celente/) > [“I’ve read that many major CEOs and assorted other captains of industry are sociopaths,” she replied, almost conversationally. “I imagine you fit right in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-crews/i-ve-read-that-many-major-ceos-and-assorted-other-captains-of/) [Caitlin Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-crews/) > [Sociopaths are just like everybody else in that some of them are really brilliant, some of them are really stupid, and most of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stout/sociopaths-are-just-like-everybody-else-in-that-some-of-them-are/) [Martha Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stout/) > [Life itself was hard enough without monosynaptic sociopaths preying on folks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-a-stackpole/life-itself-was-hard-enough-without-monosynaptic-sociopaths-preying/) [Michael A. Stackpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-a-stackpole/) > [I think the people running climate change denial campaigns are sociopaths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-lawless/i-think-the-people-running-climate-change-denial-campaigns-are/) [Lucy Lawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-lawless/) > [“Sociopath” and “psycho” were two of the most common field diagnoses for my look and expression. I heard it all the time: “I’ve read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-elder-robison/sociopath-and-psycho-were-two-of-the-most-common-field-diagnoses-for/) [John Elder Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elder-robison/) > [I went into very deep research as to what exactly that meant and how sociopaths function psychologically and within the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-heusinger/i-went-into-very-deep-research-as-to-what-exactly-that-meant-and-how/) [Patrick Heusinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-heusinger/) > [When you were a child, where boredom could actually get to be painful. Sociopaths experience that kind of pain in boredom. And so to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stout/when-you-were-a-child-where-boredom-could-actually-get-to-be-painful/) [Martha Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stout/) > [I really like transgressive characters that have an alternate world view. I've actually written a fair number of kids movies, and I'll insert these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-nix/i-really-like-transgressive-characters-that-have-an-alternate-world/) [Matt Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-nix/) > [“Prisons are full of sociopaths and psychopaths, but when questioned, the imprisoned sociopath will honestly admit that they will commit any number of crimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-thompson/prisons-are-full-of-sociopaths-and-psychopaths-but-when-questioned/) [Tanya Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-thompson/) > [“And sociopaths are noted especially for their shallowness of emotion, the hollow and transient nature of any affectionate feelings they may claim to have,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stout/and-sociopaths-are-noted-especially-for-their-shallowness-of-emotion/) [Martha Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stout/) ## More by Mat Johnson > [“The Antarctic gives the impression of being white, but really it's blue. Almost entirely constructed of that pale, powder blue that at times can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/the-antarctic-gives-the-impression-of-being-white-but-really-it-s/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [“You've got to admit, slick, you got a skill for avoiding the devil." "That just means that now the devils out there, looking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/you-ve-got-to-admit-slick-you-got-a-skill-for-avoiding-the-devil-that/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [Long-haul trucking. Just roaming the country, alone, with audiobooks and podcasts, sleeping in the back of the cab, showering at gas stations at 4…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/long-haul-trucking-just-roaming-the-country-alone-with-audiobooks-and/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [“That is how they stay so white: by refusing to accept blemish or history. Whiteness isn't about being something, it is about being no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/that-is-how-they-stay-so-white-by-refusing-to-accept-blemish-or/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [My weak suit is whatever each reader hates about each book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/my-weak-suit-is-whatever-each-reader-hates-about-each-book/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [It is a great moment in every freak's life when he or she finds out that at least they are not the only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/it-is-a-great-moment-in-every-freak-s-life-when-he-or-she-finds-out/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [“There are two types of lazy bosses. One is so lazy that they make you do not only your own work but theirs too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/there-are-two-types-of-lazy-bosses-one-is-so-lazy-that-they-make-you/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [My strong suit is that I've been willing to risk on the page to get somewhere interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/my-strong-suit-is-that-i-ve-been-willing-to-risk-on-the-page-to-get/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [“In this age when reality is built on big lies, what better place for truth than fiction?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/in-this-age-when-reality-is-built-on-big-lies-what-better-place-for/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [“The people, they need someone to live through. Trust me, I used to be in roller derby back in the day. People need a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/the-people-they-need-someone-to-live-through-trust-me-i-used-to-be-in/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [Even drunk, I knew any escape plan that involved going to Detroit, Michigan, was a harbinger of doom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/even-drunk-i-knew-any-escape-plan-that-involved-going-to-detroit/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [“In the ghetto there is a mansion, and it is my father's house... Its expansive lawn is utterly useless, wild like it smokes its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/in-the-ghetto-there-is-a-mansion-and-it-is-my-father-s-house-its/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [“I have always loved quitting jobs. Whether because the job itself was repugnant or the people working at it with me, I have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/i-have-always-loved-quitting-jobs-whether-because-the-job-itself-was/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [I love the idea of biracial. I actually don't use the word biracial. I tend to use mixed. Biracial to me accentuates the word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/i-love-the-idea-of-biracial-i-actually-don-t-use-the-word-biracial-i/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [I start with fear. It comes in so many forms. When I write, some of the fear goes away. So I write into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/i-start-with-fear-it-comes-in-so-many-forms-when-i-write-some-of-the/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) [Explore all 30 Mat Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) ## More Demeanor quotes > [It is worth noticing that those who assume an imposing demeanor and seek to pass themselves off for something beyond what they are, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/it-is-worth-noticing-that-those-who-assume-an-imposing-demeanor-and/) [Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/) > [Culture is very important to the Mavs… It isn't about who talks the most or the loudest. It is about the demeanor and attitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/culture-is-very-important-to-the-mavs-it-isn-t-about-who-talks-the/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [If you think your demeanor is mellow or not particularly charismatic, the material can life you higher. So write everyday, and get onstage or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/if-you-think-your-demeanor-is-mellow-or-not-particularly-charismatic/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [To combat social awkwardness, I would just act like I couldn't be bothered - that kind of aloof persona or aloof demeanor. It's so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janeane-garofalo/to-combat-social-awkwardness-i-would-just-act-like-i-couldn-t-be/) [Janeane Garofalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janeane-garofalo/) > [When I look at President Obama, I see a leader with a cool head, a caring heart and an open mind, a president who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-crist/when-i-look-at-president-obama-i-see-a-leader-with-a-cool-head-a/) [Charlie Crist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-crist/) > [She's learned to listen more and improve different aspects of her game. I'm most proud that she's improved her sportsmanship, her demeanor on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-jones/she-s-learned-to-listen-more-and-improve-different-aspects-of-her/) Elaine Jones > [Manners are manners. Jimmy Connors and Ilie Nastase have no respect. I don't want my kid seeing Nastase play. The demeanor you show on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-laver/manners-are-manners-jimmy-connors-and-ilie-nastase-have-no-respect-i/) [Rod Laver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-laver/) > [The name is not important anymore - it's the tone that counts. I feel like an old dog I know. He will come to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/the-name-is-not-important-anymore-it-s-the-tone-that-counts-i-feel/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [“A calm demeanor will deter the danger of words spoken in anger or panic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shmiras-haloshon/a-calm-demeanor-will-deter-the-danger-of-words-spoken-in-anger-or/) Shmiras Haloshon > [“It may not be fair that people make judgments so quickly, usually within a few seconds of observation, but it's unrealistic to expect that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/it-may-not-be-fair-that-people-make-judgments-so-quickly-usually/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [If you look at me in 'Ride Along,' even though I'm playing two different characters, my demeanor and my tone were not aggressive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/if-you-look-at-me-in-ride-along-even-though-i-m-playing-two-different/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [I think I have a very nice demeanor, but at the same time, when pushed, I will freak out. I have a backbone, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-gibson/i-think-i-have-a-very-nice-demeanor-but-at-the-same-time-when-pushed/) [Debbie Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-gibson/) > [To how many blockheads of my time has a cold and taciturn demeanor procured the credit of prudence and capacity!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/to-how-many-blockheads-of-my-time-has-a-cold-and-taciturn-demeanor/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [“ASK YOURSELF: Do you appear self-confident or unsure? Do you project a calm demeanor or scream instability? Do you come across as a leader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/ask-yourself-do-you-appear-self-confident-or-unsure-do-you-project-a/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [How great is the path proper to the Sage! Like overflowing water, it sends forth and nourishes all things, and rises up to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/how-great-is-the-path-proper-to-the-sage-like-overflowing-water-it/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) [Browse all 101 Demeanor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demeanor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The sociopaths - that's the real problem. 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