Beautiful Quote by Edna Ferber
“Any piece of furniture, I don't care how beautiful it is, has got to be lived with, and kicked about, and rubbed down, and mistreated by servants, and repolished, and knocked around and dusted and sat on or slept in or eaten off of before it develops its real character ... A good deal like human beings.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Show Boat by Edna Ferber, 1926
Objects gain true character through use, wear, and care, mirroring how experiences shape people.
In simple terms: Use and wear reveal true nature.
Key Takeaway
Embrace life’s wear and tear.
Themes
growth
character
experience
humanity
materiality
Mood
reflective
contemplative
Type
analogy
metaphor
When to use this quote
- home life
- personal growth
- relationships
- care for belongings
- learning from hardship
Key Concepts
Existentialism
material culture
human development
Questions to Reflect On
- How does everyday use change your view of objects?
- What does this suggest about personal growth?
A Different Perspective
Neglect or over‑preservation can prevent authentic development.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
