Appearance Quote by Elizabeth Hardwick
“Many people believe letters the most personal and revealing form of communication. In them, we expect to find the charmer at his nap, slumped, open-mouthed, profoundly himself without thought for appearances. Yet, this is not quite true. Letters are above all useful as a means of expressing the ideal self; and no other method of communication is quite so good for this purpose. In conversation, those uneasy eyes upon you, those lips ready with an emendation before you have begun to speak, are a powerful deterrent to unreality, even to hope.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Letters: A History, Elizabeth Hardwick, 1975
Letters let us present an ideal version of ourselves, free from the immediate judgments of face‑to‑face conversation.
In simple terms: Writing lets us show our best self.
Key Takeaway
Use letters to express your true thoughts.
Themes
communication
self‑presentation
authenticity
Mood
introspective
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal letters
- creative writing
- therapy
Key Concepts
ideal self
written expression
privacy
Questions to Reflect On
- What parts of yourself do you hide in conversation?
- How can letters reveal hidden truths?
A Different Perspective
Written words can still be edited, hiding true feelings.
