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
They had, finally, the only thing anyone really wants in life: someone to hold your hand when you die.
Life is amazingly unpredictable; any 22-year-old who thinks they know where they will be in 10 years, much less in 30, is simply lacking imagination.
I think the earlier stages of Alzheimer's are the hardest. Particularly because the person knows that they are losing awareness. They're aware that they're losing awareness, and you see them struggling.
And with the passing years, what had once seemed like a miracle or the luckiest of chances and which he had always promised himself he would never become enslaved by, has gradually become his sole reason to go on living.
When we walk like (we are rushing), we print anxiety and sorrow on the earth. We have to walk in a way that we only print peace and serenity on the earth... Be aware of the contact between your feet and the earth. Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.
Life can't be all that bad,' i'd think from time to time. 'Whatever happens, i can always take a long walk along the Bosphorus.