--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In fact, I know that a 'nice live little…" description: "\"“In fact, I know that a 'nice live little boy' would be far better than - my skeleton in the closet; only - we aren't always willing to make the exchan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/eleanor-h-porter-28329_live-little_in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-b_61786.jpg" --- # In fact, I know that a 'nice live little boy' would be far… ![“In fact, I know that a 'nice live little boy' would be far better than - my skeleton in the closet; only - we aren't always willing to make the exchange. We are apt to still cling to - our skeletons, Pollyanna.” quote by Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/eleanor-h-porter-28329_live-little_in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-b_61786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/eleanor-h-porter-28329_live-little_in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-b_61786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/eleanor-h-porter-28329_live-little_in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-b_61786.jpg) > ““In fact, I know that a 'nice live little boy' would be far better than - my skeleton in the closet; only - we aren't always willing to make the exchange. We are apt to still cling to - our skeletons, Pollyanna.”” [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts the desire for an idealized, carefree self with the reluctance to confront hidden flaws, suggesting we often cling to our secrets despite longing for innocence. **In simple terms:** We cling to hidden flaws despite yearning for innocence. Key Takeaway Denial of flaws hinders authentic growth. Themes self‑deception authenticity psychology inner conflict idealization self‑acceptance Mood melancholic reflective introspective Type aphorism philosophical observation When to use this quote - therapy sessions - creative writing - self‑reflection retreats - conflict resolution workshops - personal journaling Key Concepts self‑image secret shame cognitive dissonance personal growth Practical Applications - psychotherapy - self‑help literature Questions to Reflect On - What hidden aspects of yourself do you protect? - How might embracing imperfections change your relationships? A Different Perspective Some argue confronting flaws can be liberating, not a burden. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“...only- we aren't always willing to make the exchange. We are apt to still cling to- our skeletons.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/only-we-aren-t-always-willing-to-make-the-exchange-we-are-apt-to/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren't willing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/if-you-want-to-be-the-best-you-have-to-do-things-that-other-people-2/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [Don't hold my hand if you aren't willing to take everything that comes with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-hold-my-hand-if-you-aren-t-willing-to-take-everything-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What is the point in dreaming if you aren’t willing to put your faith into it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-atchley/what-is-the-point-in-dreaming-if-you-aren-t-willing-to-put-your-faith/) Miranda Atchley > [Most employers just aren't willing to look beyond the dumbest or worst thing someone has done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-boyle/most-employers-just-aren-t-willing-to-look-beyond-the-dumbest-or/) [Greg Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-boyle/) > [We want to change the world, but we aren't willing to change ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-caine/we-want-to-change-the-world-but-we-aren-t-willing-to-change-ourselves/) [Christine Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-caine/) > [If you will make the sacrifices now that most people aren't willing to make, later on you will be able to live as those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-ramsey/if-you-will-make-the-sacrifices-now-that-most-people-aren-t-willing/) [Dave Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-ramsey/) > [If you aren't willing to have it, you will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/if-you-aren-t-willing-to-have-it-you-will/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [“If you aren’t willing to love her, do not put dents on her heart that will influence her to believe that she is hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-alex-jeanty/if-you-aren-t-willing-to-love-her-do-not-put-dents-on-her-heart-that/) [Pierre Alex Jeanty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-alex-jeanty/) > [Sometimes you get politicians who dig their feet into the sand and aren't willing to listen to another voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-edwards/sometimes-you-get-politicians-who-dig-their-feet-into-the-sand-and/) [Elizabeth Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-edwards/) > [Maybe primitive people have less bullshit to let go of, to give up. A person has to be willing to give up everything—not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/maybe-primitive-people-have-less-bullshit-to-let-go-of-to-give-up-a/) [Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/) > [I believe that everyone is destined for greatness, but most people aren't willing to pay the price it takes to get there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-anderson/i-believe-that-everyone-is-destined-for-greatness-but-most-people/) [Clifton Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-anderson/) > [“he would have been the first to scoff at the notion of labeling himself anything other than an explorer. His words to me were,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-holley/he-would-have-been-the-first-to-scoff-at-the-notion-of-labeling/) [Val Holley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-holley/) > [A successful relationship requires a lot of work, unfortunately some people aren't always willing to put in the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/a-successful-relationship-requires-a-lot-of-work-unfortunately-some/) [Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/) > [“If we aren't willing to change, we aren't willing to unconditionally love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alaric-hutchinson/if-we-aren-t-willing-to-change-we-aren-t-willing-to-unconditionally/) [Alaric Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alaric-hutchinson/) ## More by Eleanor H. Porter > [“I've got something besides the weather to think of. I don't know whether the sun shines or not." Pollyanna beamed joyously. "No, sir; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/i-ve-got-something-besides-the-weather-to-think-of-i-don-t-know/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“Aunt Polly is all stirred up over it. You see, she wants Uncle Tom to have what he wants, only she wants him to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/aunt-polly-is-all-stirred-up-over-it-you-see-she-wants-uncle-tom-to/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“In his imagination he was far away in a little Western town with a missionary minister who was poor, sick, worried, and almost alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/in-his-imagination-he-was-far-away-in-a-little-western-town-with-a/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“...she had been too busy wishing things were different to find much time to enjoy things as they were.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/she-had-been-too-busy-wishing-things-were-different-to-find-much-time/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“Then you--weren't lovers?" Pollyanna's voice was tragic with dismay. "Never!" "And it isn't all coming out like a book? . . . Oh dear!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/then-you-weren-t-lovers-pollyanna-s-voice-was-tragic-with-dismay/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“...only- we aren't always willing to make the exchange. We are apt to still cling to- our skeletons.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/only-we-aren-t-always-willing-to-make-the-exchange-we-are-apt-to/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“Well, goodness me! I can't see anythin' ter be glad about—gettin' a pair of crutches when you wanted a doll!" Pollyanna clapped her hands.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/well-goodness-me-i-can-t-see-anythin-ter-be-glad-about-gettin-a-pair/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“I was growlin' one day 'cause I was so bent up and crooked; an'what do ye s'pose the little thing said? ... She said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/i-was-growlin-one-day-cause-i-was-so-bent-up-and-crooked-an-what-do/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“Miss Polly actually stamped her foot in irritation. "There you go like the rest," she shouted. "What game?" At last Nancy told her all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/miss-polly-actually-stamped-her-foot-in-irritation-there-you-go-like/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“I tell you, troubles are poor things to hug. They've got to many pickers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/i-tell-you-troubles-are-poor-things-to-hug-they-ve-got-to-many-pickers/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“thank you. I love to fix people's hair," exulted”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/thank-you-i-love-to-fix-people-s-hair-exulted/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“She did not realize it herself, but she had so long been accustomed to wanting what she did not have, that to state offhand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/she-did-not-realize-it-herself-but-she-had-so-long-been-accustomed-to/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“I know, father-among-the-angels, I'm not playing the game one bit now—not one bit; but I don't believe even you could find anything to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/i-know-father-among-the-angels-i-m-not-playing-the-game-one-bit-now/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“Impatience which would brook no opposition had been a part of John Pendleton's nature too long to yield very easily now to restraint”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/impatience-which-would-brook-no-opposition-had-been-a-part-of-john/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) > [“I wish I could prescribe her--and buy her--as I would a box of pills;--though if there gets to be many of her in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/i-wish-i-could-prescribe-her-and-buy-her-as-i-would-a-box-of-pills/) [Eleanor H. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) [Explore all 18 Eleanor H. Porter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/) ## More Live Little quotes > [I try to live in a little bit of my own joy and not let people steal it or take it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoda-kotb/i-try-to-live-in-a-little-bit-of-my-own-joy-and-not-let-people-steal/) [Hoda Kotb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoda-kotb/) > [“Sometimes you just need to go out in the world and live a little first.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amalie-howard/sometimes-you-just-need-to-go-out-in-the-world-and-live-a-little-first/) [Amalie Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amalie-howard/) > [“Now I am beginning to live a little and feel less like a sick oyster at low tide.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/now-i-am-beginning-to-live-a-little-and-feel-less-like-a-sick-oyster/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [There are few things it is more important to learn than how to live on little and be therewith content: for the less we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lancaster-spalding/there-are-few-things-it-is-more-important-to-learn-than-how-to-live/) [John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lancaster-spalding/) > [What you did was live on very little. I think all of us that were competing - Bill is the same way - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-shorter/what-you-did-was-live-on-very-little-i-think-all-of-us-that-were/) [Frank Shorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-shorter/) > [Live a little be a gypsy, get around. Get your feet up off the ground, live a little, get around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/live-a-little-be-a-gypsy-get-around-get-your-feet-up-off-the-ground/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [Live a little, Cause Niggas die alot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/live-a-little-cause-niggas-die-alot/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [Live a little, love a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-chesney/live-a-little-love-a-lot/) [Kenny Chesney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-chesney/) > [I live in my own little world. But its okay¦ they know Im here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-live-in-my-own-little-world-but-its-okay-they-know-im-here/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [...I would like to live a little bit longer in this beautiful concentration camp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imre-kert-sz/i-would-like-to-live-a-little-bit-longer-in-this-beautiful/) [Imre Kertész](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imre-kert-sz/) > [I still have dreams, but instead of having them written on a little piece of paper, I live a little bit of them every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-gregoire-trudeau/i-still-have-dreams-but-instead-of-having-them-written-on-a-little/) [Sophie Gregoire Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-gregoire-trudeau/) > [Aaron, in order to die you have to live a little first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/aaron-in-order-to-die-you-have-to-live-a-little-first/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [“Live a little... Try new things... Don't be a wimp...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-bielman/live-a-little-try-new-things-don-t-be-a-wimp/) [Robin Bielman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-bielman/) > [He will always be a slave who does not know how to live upon a little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/he-will-always-be-a-slave-who-does-not-know-how-to-live-upon-a-little/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [As a comedian, you're kind of like a blues musician; you have to live a little bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-nealon/as-a-comedian-you-re-kind-of-like-a-blues-musician-you-have-to-live-a/) [Kevin Nealon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-nealon/) Browse all 63 Live Little quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In fact, I know that a 'nice live little boy' would be far better than - my skeleton in the closet; only - we aren't always willing to make the exchange. We are apt to still cling to - our skeletons, Pollyanna.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eleanor H. Porter" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-boy-would-be-far-better-than/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Live Little" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-boy-would-be-far-better-than/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/eleanor-h-porter-28329_live-little_in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-b_61786.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/eleanor-h-porter-28329_live-little_in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-b_61786.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fe/eleanor-h-porter-28329_live-little_in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-b_61786.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In fact, I know that a 'nice live little boy' would be far better than - my skeleton in the closet; only…” — Eleanor H. Porter", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Eleanor H. Porter", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-h-porter/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“In fact, I know that a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-boy-would-be-far-better-than/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-h-porter/in-fact-i-know-that-a-nice-live-little-boy-would-be-far-better-than/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```