They're ugly, but those are the facts of life.
Harper LeeRead
I was born good but had grown progressively worse every year. Scout
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the idea of inherent goodness and the impact of life experiences on one's character.
In this quote, Scout, a character from Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird', expresses a poignant realization about the decline from an innate goodness attributed to childhood. As she reflects on her development over the years, rather than embracing a simplistic view that childhood is inherently pure, she acknowledges that experiences and societal influences can lead to a moral degradation or a sense of corruption over time.
Themes
GoodnessMoralityCharacterChildhoodExperience
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about moral development during a philosophy class.
More from Harper Lee
All quotes →It's better to be silent than to be a fool.
Harper LeeRead
Don’t talk like that, Dill,” said Aunt Alexandra. “It’s not becoming to a child. It’s – cynical.” “I ain’t cynical, Miss Alexandra. Tellin’ the truth’s not cynical, is it?” “The way you tell it, it is.
Harper LeeRead
With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.
Harper LeeRead
He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.
Harper LeeRead
You can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family, an' they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don't.
Harper LeeRead
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