About this quote

We like to believe our peace of mind comes from moral perfection, but human nature is rarely that clean. Often, we feel innocent simply because we have forgotten the awkward details of our past slip-ups. Our minds naturally filter out the moments we acted selfishly or hurt someone's feelings. It is a defense mechanism that keeps us sleeping well at night. Look back honestly at your track record before you claim the moral high ground.

When to use it

• When your coworker brags about never making a mistake on a client account, and you remember the massive billing error they made last quarter.
• Recalling this line when your sibling claims they never borrowed and lost your favorite childhood toys.
• Thinking of these words when you feel entirely blameless during an argument with your partner, realizing you might be blocking out your own harsh comments.
• Saying this to a friend who insists they always split the dinner bill perfectly down to the penny.