They're ugly, but those are the facts of life.
Harper LeeRead
It's not necessary to tell all you know. It's not ladylike -- in the second place, folks don't like to have someone around knowin' more than they do. It aggravates them. Your not gonna change any of them by talkin' right, they've got to want to learn themselves, and when they don't want to learn there's nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.
Interpretation
Sometimes, it's wiser to keep knowledge to oneself, as not everyone is open to learning.
In this quote, Harper Lee emphasizes the importance of discretion in sharing knowledge. She suggests that people often feel threatened by those who know more than them, leading to discomfort and resistance to learning. The quote implies that effective communication requires knowing your audience and speaking in a way that resonates with them, rather than overwhelming them with facts.
In practice
During a meeting where someone is dominating the discussion, you might use this quote to suggest that not everyone needs to share their knowledge.
They're ugly, but those are the facts of life.
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.
Strong men can always afford to be gentle. Only the weak are intent on giving as good as they get.
Wisdom we know is the knowledge of good and evil - not the strength to choose between the two.
Build a cell inside your mind, from which you can never flee.
To live well, to enjoy all things that make life pleasant, is the right of every man who constantly uses his strength judiciously and lawfully.
Knowledge is the key that unlocks all the doors. You can be green-skinned with yellow polka dots and come from Mars, but if you have knowledge that people need, instead of beating you, they'll beat a path to your door.
Because of styles people are separated. Research your own experience, absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is essentially your own.
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