Who said “Man is a make-believe animal -- he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part.”?

Verified

William Hazlitt. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceNotes of a Journey through France and Italy (1824), ch. XVI

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“Man is a make-believe animal -- he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part.”
VerifiedNotes of a Journey through France and Italy (1824), ch. XVI · evidenceIntegrity

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Notes of a Journey through France and Italy (1824), ch. XVI.

APA

Hazlitt, W. (n.d.). Man is a make-believe animal -- he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/24367-man-is-a-make-believe-animal-he-is/

MLA

Hazlitt, William. “Man is a make-believe animal -- he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/24367-man-is-a-make-believe-animal-he-is/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Hazlitt, William. “Man is a make-believe animal -- he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/24367-man-is-a-make-believe-animal-he-is/.