“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”

Simplified Meaning:

This quote says people are often not entirely honest when they speak as themselves. When given the chance to hide their identity, like wearing a mask, they are more likely to speak the truth. Imagine at a costume party where everyone is anonymous; people might share secrets or opinions they usually keep hidden. This is because they feel safe and less judged when nobody knows who they are. In everyday life, this means that creating a safe space where people feel comfortable and not judged can help them be more honest. For example, in anonymous surveys, people are more likely to give real feedback since they know their identity is protected. So, if you want to know what someone truly thinks, try to make them feel safe and unjudged, much like if they were wearing a mask.