Whenever two people meet there are really six people present. There is each man as he sees himself, each man as the other person sees him, and each man as he really is.

Summary

This quote by William James highlights the complexity of human interactions. It suggests that a meeting between two individuals involves three distinct perspectives: how each person sees themselves, how they are perceived by the other person, and their true essence beyond both subjective perceptions. It emphasizes the multifaceted nature of relationships, reminding us that everyone has their own self-perception, is perceived differently by others, and possesses an authentic self that may or may not align with these perceptions. Ultimately, it encourages us to consider the many layers at play in our encounters with others.