Summary
This quote suggests that tact is the skill of understanding and acknowledging others' self-perceptions when describing them. It implies that being tactful involves recognizing how individuals view themselves and using this knowledge to portray them in a favorable light while communicating with them. By adopting this approach, one can avoid offending or embarrassing others by aligning their descriptions with their self-perceived identities. In essence, tact requires empathy and sensitivity in understanding and articulating the perspectives and self-concepts of others.