He didn't mind how he looked to other people, because the nursery magic had made him Real, and when you are Real shabbiness doesn't matter.
Interpretation
Being true to oneself transcends outward appearance or societal judgment.
This quote emphasizes the significance of authenticity and self-acceptance. It suggests that once one becomes 'Real'βa metaphor for being genuine and true to oneselfβthe opinions and judgments of others regarding one's appearance become irrelevant. This speaks to a deeper understanding of value that lies beyond superficial aspects of life.
In practice
In a speech about self-confidence, one might use this quote to encourage others to embrace their true selves.
Real isn't how you are made. It's a thing that happens to you. Sometimes it hurts, but when you are Real you don't mind being hurt. It doesn't happen all at once. You become. Once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand. Once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always.
Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.
When you are Real, shabbiness doesn't matter.
When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.
Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.
I don't really know if it's the right thing to do, making new life. Kids grow up, generations take their place. What does it all come to? More hills bulldozed and more ocean fronts filled in? Faster cars and more cats run over? Who needs it?
I come to Jerusalem. There, the sky is blue and memory becomes clear.
Do you know that hope sometimes consists only of a question without an answer?
On their sofas of spice and feathers, the concubines also slept fretfully. In those days the Earth was still flat, and people dreamed often of falling over edges.
There are things I take sides about, like capital punishment, which it seems to me there is only one side about: it is evil. But there are two or three sides to sexual harassment, and the moment you get into particular cases, there is injustice in every conceivable direction. It's a mess.
Whatever we have done with our lives makes us what we are when we die. And everything, absolutely everything, counts.
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