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When you are Real, shabbiness doesn't matter.
Margery Williams
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Being true to oneself is more important than outward appearances.

The quote suggests that authenticity and being genuine define value far more than superficial traits or material conditions. When someone embraces their true self, external factors like shabbiness or societal norms become less significant, highlighting the essence of personal integrity and self-acceptance.

Themes

AuthenticitySelf-AcceptanceGenuinenessValueIntegrity

In practice

Example use cases

In a graduation speech to encourage students to embrace their true selves.

More from Margery Williams

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.
Margery WilliamsRead
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.
Margery WilliamsRead
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.
Margery WilliamsRead
When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.
Margery WilliamsRead
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.
Margery WilliamsRead

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