Appearances Quote by Joanne Harris
““As she grew older, Maddy discovered that she had disappointed almost everyone. An awkward girl with a sullen mouth, a curtain of hair, and a tendency to slouch, she had neither Mae's sweet nature nor sweet face. Her eyes were rather beautiful, but few people ever noticed this, and it was widely believed Maddy was ugly, a troublemaker, too clever for her own good, too stubborn - or too slack - to change. Of course, folk agreed that it was not her fault she was so brown or her sister so pretty, but a smile costs nothing, as the saying goes, and if only the girl had made an effort once in a while, or even showed a little gratitude for all the help and free advice, then maybe she would have settled down.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris, 2007
A young woman feels judged and misunderstood, believing her appearance and demeanor cause others to reject her, while she neglects gratitude and effort to improve relationships.
In simple terms: Maddy thinks she's disliked because of looks and attitude, but lacks gratitude and effort.
Key Takeaway
Practice gratitude and small positive actions to change perception.
Themes
selfesteem
perception
gratitude
effort
judgment
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- school
- family gatherings
- workplace
- social media interactions
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
identity
social dynamics
self‑fulfilling prophecy
Questions to Reflect On
- How might gratitude alter how others see you?
- What small actions could shift your self‑image?
A Different Perspective
Changing attitudes also requires others to be open; personal effort may not be enough if systemic bias persists.
