Even if we are not angels in our lives, we ask: How dare you hold yourself up in front of us as a human being? If you don't feel shame, then we will make you feel shame-or perhaps, you will feel shame so we don't have to.
In Ryan Holiday's book, "Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator," he explores the complexities of human behavior and the expectation of moral integrity. The quote reflects a common societal expectation where people, despite their flaws, scrutinize the integrity of others. It raises questions about guilt and the way we project our own shortcomings onto others.
The author suggests that when individuals do not experience shame for their actions, there is often a collective desire to impose that shame onto them. This implies a psychological process where society pressures individuals to conform to moral standards, even when they themselves may not adhere to them. Holiday's work illuminates the contradictions in our judgments and expectations as humans.
