“Speech was given to man to disguise his thoughts.”Jean de La Bruyère · Caracterele · 1688 · Des la cour, 15
Speech is a social mask, a tool for concealing true thoughts rather than revealing them.
La Bruyère observes a fundamental trait of human communication: speech is not a tool for transparency but for social manipulation. People often say what is convenient, not what they truly think. For example, in polite conversation, you might say you're delighted to see someone when you actually dislike them. The mechanism is defensive: hiding thoughts protects against vulnerability or conflict.
Why it matters In social or professional relationships, this idea warns you not to take words as absolute truth and to watch for unspoken intentions.