Quote by Sidney Jourard
Paradoxically, we fail to disclose ourselves to other people because we want so much to be loved. Because we feel that way we present ourselves as someone we think can be loved and accepted, and we conceal whatever would mar that image. Another reason we hide is to protect ourselves from change. . . Still another reason we don't disclose ourselves is that we were never taught how. . . Personal ambitions and economic pressures also give us powerful reasons for concealing what we really are. . . All of us hide behind the iron curtain of our public selves. . . Men hide what prevents them from seeming strong and masculine. . . Disclosure is so important (because) without it we really cannot know ourselves. Or to put it another way, we learn to deceive ourselves while we are trying to deceive others. For example, if I never express my sorrow, my love, my joy, I'll smother those feelings in myself until I almost forget they were once part of me.
Summary
This quote explores the paradoxical nature of human behavior in terms of self-disclosure. It asserts that we often fail to reveal our true selves to others because we desire to be loved and accepted. We create facades that conform to what we believe others will approve of, hiding anything that may tarnish that image. Additionally, the fear of change and the lack of teachings in self-expression contribute to our tendency to conceal our authentic selves. The quote suggests that personal ambitions, societal pressures, and cultural expectations also drive this behavior. It emphasizes the importance of self-disclosure, as without it we cannot truly know ourselves and may even deceive ourselves in the process.
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