The truth is how you say it, and to be 'one's self' is the most shocking custom of all.
Interpretation
Being true to oneself can be surprising and challenging in society.
Djuna Barnes highlights the complexities of truth and self-expression. The quote suggests that the way we convey our truth is just as important as the truth itself, and that allowing oneself to be authentic often defies societal norms, leading to both shock and liberation in personal identity.
In practice
In a speech about personal development, to emphasize the importance of authenticity.
Matthew,' she said, 'have you ever loved someone and it became yourself?' For a moment he did not answer. Taking up the decanter he held it to the light. 'Robin can go anywhere, do anything,' Nora continued, 'because she forgets, and I nowhere because I remember.' She came toward him. 'Matthew,' she said, 'you think I have always been like this. Once I was remorseless, but this is another love β it goes everywhere; there is no place for it to stop β it rots me away.
Our bones ache only while the flesh is on them. Stretch it as thin as the temple flesh of an ailing woman and still it serves to ache the bone and to move the bone about; and in like manner the night is a skin pulled over the head of day that the day may be in a torment. We will find no comfort until the night melts away; until the fury of the night rots out its fire.
βGod,β she cried, βwhat is love? Man seeking his own head? The human head, so rented by misery that even the teeth weigh! She couldn't tell me the truth because she had never planned it; her life was a continual accident, and how can you be prepared for that? Everything we can't bear in this world, some day we find in one person, and love it all at once.β
I find daily life not always joyous, but always interesting. I have some sad days and nights, but none that are dull. As I advance deeper into the vale of years, I live with constantly increasing gusto and excitement. I am sure it all means something; in the last analysis, I am an optimist because I believe in God. Those who have no faith are quite naturally pessimists and I do not blame them.
As it turned out, though, it was a lot easier to say that someone deserved to die for what they did than it was to take the responsibility to make that happen.
He thought that the rose was to be found in its own eternity and not in his words; and that we may mention or allude to a thing, but not express it.
But you who walk facing the sun, what images drawn on the earth can hold you?
The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past, but of its presence
God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
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