We are ashamed to seem evasive in the presence of a straightforward man, cowardly in the presence of a brave one, gross in the eyes of a refined one, and so on. We always imagine, and in imagining share, the judgments of the other mind.

Summary

This quote, by American philosopher Charles Horton Cooley, highlights the social nature of human beings and our tendency to be influenced by other people's judgments. It suggests that we feel a sense of shame when our actions or behaviors do not align with the expectations of those around us, whether they are straightforward, brave, refined, or otherwise. Cooley emphasizes that we often imagine and assume the perspectives of others, leading us to internalize their judgments and adjust our behavior accordingly.

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