QuoteProject
They're ugly, but those are the facts of life.
Harper Lee
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Life can be difficult and unappealing at times, but acceptance of reality is essential.

Harper Lee's quote acknowledges the harsh realities of life that may not be pleasing or attractive. By stating that 'they're ugly,' she emphasizes that certain truths are distressing or challenging, yet recognizing and accepting these facts is crucial for personal growth and understanding. It serves as a reminder that life is not always beautiful, and confronting uncomfortable truths is a part of the human experience.

Themes

LifeAcceptanceRealityTruthGrowth

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about overcoming challenges, one might say this quote to highlight the importance of facing difficult truths.

More from Harper Lee

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
We're paying the highest tribute you can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It's that simple.
Harper LeeRead

Similar quotes

The Indian Summer of life should be a little sunny and a little sad, like the season, and infinite in wealth and depth of tone, but never hustled.
Henry AdamsRead
Life is a series of commas, not periods.
Matthew McconaugheyRead
So much pressure in this life of mine, I cry at times, I once contemplated suicide and woulda tried, but when I held that nine, all I could see was my mama's eyes, no one knows my struggle, they only see the trouble, not knowing it's hard to carry on when no one loves you.
Tupac ShakurRead
I am happy to say that everyone that I have met in my life, I have gained something from them; be it negative or positive, it has enforced and reinforced my life in some aspect.
Walter PaytonRead
I have spent my life going from mania to mania. Somehow it has all paid off.
Ray BradburyRead
But sometimes, unexpectedly, grief pounded over me in waves that left me gasping; and when the waves washed back, I found myself looking out over a brackish wreck which was illumined in a light so lucid, so heartsick and empty, that I could hardly remember that the world had ever been anything but dead.
Donna TarttRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.