The statement early in Shadow that "we think that we invent symbols. In reality they invent us" is priceless. I've used it many times, and seen it quoted by others also. (I'm sure it's familiar to you all, so I won't look it up and cite it all here.)
It ties in with recent discussions about Wolfe's view of human behavior. If a bad person begins to symbolize himself as good, and play-acts at being good, he may gradually become good. This is actually from Pascal, in a way. When asked, "I don't feel like a Christian. I don't think my heart is right"; Pascal's advice was to act like a Christian, and you'll find that you have become one.
My 2 cents.
Nutria