Cunning Quote by Vernon Howard
“Tell a man that he is putting on a stage performance in order to get what he wants, and he will irritably reject your observation. Why? Because most people go through life as cunning actors with a permanent horror of getting found out.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Deception, 1970
People often hide true motives, fearing exposure, leading to defensive reactions.
In simple terms: People reject when they feel exposed.
Key Takeaway
Practice honest communication.
Themes
psychology
trust
self‑presentation
defensiveness
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advice
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace dynamics
- public speaking
Key Concepts
authenticity
social perception
ego defense
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we fear being seen as actors?
- How can we foster openness?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone is consciously deceptive; context matters.
![“[On Katharine Hepburn's stage performance:] She ran the whole gamut of emotions, from A to B.” quote by Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1e5/dorothy-parker-700_emotion_on-katharine-hepburn-s-stage-performance_1048700.jpg)
