Artifice Quote by William Makepeace Thackeray
“How do men feel whose whole lives (and many men's lives are) are lies, schemes, and subterfuges? What sort of company do they keep when they are alone? Daily in life I watch men whose every smile is an artifice, and every wink is an hypocrisy. Doth such a fellow where a mask in his own privacy, and to his own conscience?”
About This Quote
Source Book: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray, 1847
Living a life built on deception erodes authenticity and isolates the individual, leading to inner conflict and superficial relationships.
In simple terms: Deception harms self and others.
Key Takeaway
Seek honesty and genuine connections.
Themes
authenticity
deception
isolation
self‑reflection
Mood
reflective
somber
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- mental health
- leadership
- trust building
Key Concepts
moral integrity
psychological conflict
social masks
Questions to Reflect On
- What would change if you stopped pretending?
- How does deception affect your sense of self?
A Different Perspective
Even a mask can become habit, making truth harder to reclaim.
