Quo magis in dubiis hominem spectare periclis convenit adversisque in rebus noscere qui sit; nam verae voces tum demum pectore ab imo eliciuntur et eripitur persona, manet res.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- True character is revealed in times of danger and hardship, when pretenses fall away and honest words emerge from the depths.
- In plain terms
- You learn who someone really is when things go wrong.
- What can you take from it?
- Test people during crises to see their true nature.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you behave when under pressure?
- Who have you seen reveal their true self in a hard time?
Another view
Crisis can sometimes force people to hide rather than reveal their true selves.
More from Lucretius
Cedit item retro, de terra quod fuit ante, in terras.
Permalink to quote #13 Nam veluti pueri trepidant atque omnia caecis in tenebris metuunt, sic nos in luce timemus interdum, nilo quae sunt metuenda magis quam quae pueri in tenebris …
Permalink to quote #15 Infidi maris insidis virisque dolumque ut vitare velint, neve ullo tempore credant subdola cum ridet placidi pellacia ponti.
Permalink to quote #12
Related quotes
The true character of man ever displays itself in great events.
Napoleon BonaparteNapoleon Bonaparte quote #177 For, however roguish a man may be, he always loves to deal with an honest man.
William CobbettWilliam Cobbett quote #1 'A man who says he feels no fear is either a fool or a liar.'
Fred DibnahFred Dibnah quote #3