They're ugly, but those are the facts of life.
There are some men in this world who are born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the idea that some individuals take on burdens or difficult tasks for the benefit of others.
Harper Lee's quote reflects the reality that in life, there are certain individuals who willingly take on difficult or unpleasant responsibilities that others might shy away from. It suggests a sense of gratitude and recognition for those who support us by dealing with the less desirable aspects of life, often without seeking acknowledgment or reward in return, exemplifying selflessness and duty.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about teamwork, you might say, 'As Harper Lee said, there are some men who take on unpleasant jobs for us, and we should honor their contributions.'
More from Harper Lee
All quotes →It's better to be silent than to be a fool.
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.
With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.
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.
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.
Similar quotes
There is nothing more enticing, disenchanting, and enslaving than the life at sea.
The world was ending then, it's ending still, and I'm happy to belong to it again.
It's not houses I love, it's the life I live in them.
Service is what life is all about.
Be a half-assed crusader, a part-time fanatic. Don't worry to much about the fate of the world. Saving the world is only a hobby. Get out there and enjoy the world, your girlfriend, your boyfriend, husbands wives; climb mountains, run rivers, get drunk, do whatever you want to do while you can, before it's too late.
A glamorous life is quite different to a life of luxury. I don’t need luxury. For years, I was practically broke but I was still very vain and glamorous. And I still am.