Quote by Paul Ambroise Valery
What others think of us would be of little moment did it not, when known, so deeply tinge what we think of ourselves.

Summary
This quote, by American author and poet Mary McCarthy, emphasizes the significance of societal perception and how it shapes our self-image. It implies that the opinions of others hold little importance on their own; however, once we become aware of these opinions, they greatly influence how we view ourselves. McCarthy suggests that external judgment has the power to heavily impact our self-esteem and self-worth, emphasizing the psychological impact of societal opinions on our self-perception.