A False Image – Thomas Merton

The man who is dominated by what I have called the “social image” is one who allows himself to see and to approve in himself only that which his society prescribes as beneficial and praiseworthy in its members. As a corollary he sees and disapproves (usually in others) mostly what his society disapproves. And yet he congratulates himself on “thinking for himself.” In reality, this is only a game that he plays in his own mind—the game of substituting the words, slogans and concepts he has received from society, for genuine experiences of his own. Or rather—the slogans of society are felt to rise up within him as if they were his own, “spontaneous experience.” — Disputed Questions, p. 170