the growth of intimacy is like that. First one gives off…
“the growth of intimacy is like that. First one gives off his best picture, the bright and finished product mended with bluff and falsehood and humour. Then more details are required and one paints a second portrait, and a third – before long the best lines cancel out – and the secret is exposed at last; the planes of the pictures have intermingled and given us away, and though we paint and paint we can no longer sell a picture. We must be satisfied with hoping that such fatuous accounts of ourselves as we make to our wives and children and business associates are accepted as true”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Intimacy deepens as we reveal layers of ourselves, eventually exposing truth beneath façades.
In simple terms: Relationships reveal truth over time.
Key Takeaway
Accept vulnerability as part of connection.
Themes
intimacy
truth
self‑presentation
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- marriage
- family dynamics
- business relationships
- personal growth
Key Concepts
psychology
authenticity
social masks
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance honesty with self‑protection?
- What masks do you wear in different relationships?
A Different Perspective
People may resist confronting uncomfortable truths about themselves.