Oh, what can you do with a man like that? What can you do?…
““Oh, what can you do with a man like that? What can you do? How can you dissuade his eye in a crowd from seeking out the cheek with acne, the infirm hand; how can you teach him to respond to the inestimable greatness of the race, the harsh surface beauty of life; how can you put his finger for him on the obdurate truths before which fear and horror are powerless? The sea that morning was iridescent and dark. My wife and my sister were swimming--Diana and Helen--and I saw their uncovered heads, black and gold in the dark water. I saw them come out and I saw that they were naked, unshy, beautiful, and full of grace, and I watched the naked women walk out of the sea.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Describes confronting inner doubts and societal judgments while witnessing raw beauty and vulnerability.
In simple terms: Face doubts, see true beauty.
Key Takeaway
Recognize humanity’s rawness and truth.
Themes
identity
beauty
vulnerability
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- artistic observation
- social critique
Key Concepts
existentialism
perception
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- What truths do you avoid confronting?
- How does vulnerability shape your worldview?
A Different Perspective
May idealize vulnerability, ignoring personal agency.