Most affectations conceal something eventually, even though they don't in the beginning.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that while people may initially hide their true selves behind pretenses, these facades will eventually reveal their true nature.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's quote speaks to the idea that affectations—behaviors or attitudes adopted to impress others—can initially mask one's true self. However, over time, the underlying truths that these pretenses seek to hide will become apparent. This reflects a deeper commentary on authenticity and self-revelation, emphasizing that no matter how well one may disguise themselves, their true character will eventually shine through.
In practice
In a discussion about personal growth, you might quote Fitzgerald to emphasize the importance of being genuine.
Don't be so anxious about it,' she laughed. 'I'm not used to being loved. I wouldn't know what to do; I never got the trick of it.' She looked down at him, shy and fatigued. 'So here we are. I told you years ago that I had the makings of Cinderella.' He took her hand; she drew it back instinctively and then replaced it in his. 'Beg your pardon. Not even used to being touched. But I'm not afraid of you, if you stay quiet and don't move suddenly.
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
It was about then [1920] that I wrote a line which certain people will not let me forget: "She was a faded but still lovely woman of twenty-seven."
The words seemed to bite physically into Gatsby.
But you can love more than just one person, can't you?
A sudden gust of rain blew over them and then another - as if small liquid clouds were bouncing along the land. Lightning entered the sea far off and the air blew full of crackling thunder. The table cloths blew around the pillars. They blew and blew and blew. The flags twisted around the red chairs like live things, the banners were ragged, the corners of the table tore off through the burbling billowing ends of the cloths.
Freedom of speech...Freedom of worship...Freedom from want...Freedom from fear.
There comes a moment when we all must realize that life is short, and in the end the only thing that really counts is not how others see us, but how God sees us.
When you do not name a group of people, you are compelled to look at each individual face and not treat them all as the mass.
I meditate for the last time on this mountain that is bare, though others all around are white with snow. Like the bare peak of the koan, this one is not different from myself. I know this mountain because I am this mountain, I can feel it breathing at this moment, as its grass tops stray against the snows. If the snow leopard should leap from the rock above and manifest itself before me - S-A-A-O! - then in that moment of pure fright, out of my wits, I might truly perceive it, and be free.
In the Halls of Justice the only justice is in the halls.
She [the Virgin Mary] was normal. She had already had other children. The Bible tells us that Jesus had two brothers. Virginity, as it relates to Jesus, is based on a different thing: Mary initiated a new generation of grace. A new era began. She is the cosmic bride, Earth, which opens to the heavens and allows itself to be fertilized.
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