Difficult Quote by Rene Girard
“Why is our own participation in scapegoating so difficult to perceive and the participation of others so easy? To us, our fears and prejudices never appear as such because they determine our vision of people we despise, we fear, and against whom we discriminate.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Violence and the Sacred, René Girard, 1972
We fail to see our own bias because it shapes our worldview, while we easily spot bias in others.
In simple terms: Self‑bias is invisible, other‑bias is obvious.
Key Takeaway
Question personal prejudices.
Themes
psychology
bias
perception
conflict
human nature
Mood
introspective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- social analysis
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
social identity
scapegoating
ego defense
group dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize your own scapegoating?
- What steps expose hidden prejudices?
A Different Perspective
Bias is often rationalized, making change hard.
