In Hilary Mantel's "A Place of Greater Safety," Father Herivaux imparts a crucial lesson to Maximilien about the nature of people's perceptions. He cautions that many individuals tend to be lazy in their judgments, often reflecting their own lack of ambition or motivation onto others. This realization emphasizes the importance of self-worth and confidence in how one is perceived by society.

Herivaux advises Maximilien to maintain a high regard for himself, suggesting that one's self-perception significantly influences the way others evaluate them. This underscores a broader theme in the narrative about the interplay between personal identity and social recognition, where the strength of one's self-image can shape relationships and societal standing.