Emerson uses the image of a world made of glass to describe the psychological effect of wrongdoing. After committing a crime, a person may feel unusually exposed, as though ordinary surroundings can reveal what has been concealed. The metaphor suggests that secrecy becomes difficult because fear of discovery changes how the offender perceives other people and events.

Within Compensation, the statement supports Emerson’s broader argument that actions carry consequences beyond their immediate results. Wrongdoing may produce not only legal risk but also anxiety, suspicion and a disturbed conscience. His point is philosophical rather than a literal claim that every crime will be discovered. Instead, he suggests that misconduct can create its own form of punishment by making security and peace of mind harder to maintain. The quotation therefore links criminal behaviour with exposure, guilt and the internal consequences of attempting to conceal wrongdoing.