--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What do parents look like?\" \"You know how…" description: "\"“What do parents look like?\" \"You know how the tightrope guy at the circus wants everyone to believe his act is an art, but deep down you can see that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/jodi-picoult-45_art_what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-t_916279.jpg" --- # What do parents look like?" "You know how the tightrope… ![“What do parents look like?" "You know how the tightrope guy at the circus wants everyone to believe his act is an art, but deep down you can see that he's really just hoping he makes it all the way across? Like that.” quote by Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/jodi-picoult-45_art_what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-t_916279.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/jodi-picoult-45_art_what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-t_916279.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/jodi-picoult-45_art_what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-t_916279.jpg) > ““What do parents look like?" "You know how the tightrope guy at the circus wants everyone to believe his act is an art, but deep down you can see that he's really just hoping he makes it all the way across? Like that.”” [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often mask their insecurities with grand performances, seeking validation through daring feats. **In simple terms:** We hide doubts behind bold acts. Key Takeaway Acknowledge true feelings behind bravado. Themes identity performance insecurity Mood reflective empathetic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - relationships - career challenges - creative expression Key Concepts psychology self‑presentation Questions to Reflect On - What “tightrope” performance are you using? - How can you show genuine self without fear? A Different Perspective Bold acts can mask deeper vulnerabilities, limiting authentic connection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Circus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circus/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [You know how the tightrope guy at the circus wants everyone to believe his act is an art, but deep down you can see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/you-know-how-the-tightrope-guy-at-the-circus-wants-everyone-to/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [It's like running away to join the circus, everyone wants to do it when they're young but then you grow up and get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/it-s-like-running-away-to-join-the-circus-everyone-wants-to-do-it/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [When I was a kid I joined the circus. I did that. It is true. But it's not like you think. There was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/when-i-was-a-kid-i-joined-the-circus-i-did-that-it-is-true-but-it-s/) [Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/) > [There’s something completely unnerving about seeing your parents upset. I suppose it’s because they’re supposed to be the strong ones, but that’s not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/there-s-something-completely-unnerving-about-seeing-your-parents/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Don’t you want a relationship like your parents have? They look at each other with love and heart, not just as an asset.” -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailin-gow/don-t-you-want-a-relationship-like-your-parents-have-they-look-at/) [Kailin Gow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailin-gow/) > [I don't see things the way my parents do. They can look at a tree and see something amazing, whereas I just see a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/i-don-t-see-things-the-way-my-parents-do-they-can-look-at-a-tree-and/) [Robin Van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/) > [There's a drive in us to express ourselves in some way or form. We pick up whatever material is available. It's primitive. Kids see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/there-s-a-drive-in-us-to-express-ourselves-in-some-way-or-form-we/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [“When people are kids they use their parents as some sort of measurement for how bad a situation is. When you fall on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/when-people-are-kids-they-use-their-parents-as-some-sort-of/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Lord, bless all the good parents who look to You for guidance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guideposts/lord-bless-all-the-good-parents-who-look-to-you-for-guidance/) Guideposts > [If you look at great reform, it always starts from parents. If you look at the movement to reform the special education movement, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-guggenheim/if-you-look-at-great-reform-it-always-starts-from-parents-if-you-look/) [Davis Guggenheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-guggenheim/) > [Parents look at me like I'm somebody pretty important, and say, We were raised on your characters, and now we're enjoying them all over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-barbera/parents-look-at-me-like-i-m-somebody-pretty-important-and-say-we-were/) [Joseph Barbera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-barbera/) > [“I think that's why my parents can't even look at me anymore - they know they lost the wrong kid." - Jason Dilaurentis, Pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-think-that-s-why-my-parents-can-t-even-look-at-me-anymore-they-know/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) > [We're good at taking care of little kids, and spend a lot of energy teaching them things like how to read. But when kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-halse-anderson/we-re-good-at-taking-care-of-little-kids-and-spend-a-lot-of-energy/) [Laurie Halse Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-halse-anderson/) > [“She gets to the bottom of the stairs, and I lift her off the ground and kiss her. As I lower her back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-desrochers/she-gets-to-the-bottom-of-the-stairs-and-i-lift-her-off-the-ground/) [Lisa Desrochers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-desrochers/) > [I look at my books the way parents look at their children. The fact that one becomes more successful than the others doesn't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-haley/i-look-at-my-books-the-way-parents-look-at-their-children-the-fact/) [Alex Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-haley/) ## More by Jodi Picoult > [You get through it, you just never get over it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/you-get-through-it-you-just-never-get-over-it/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Let me guess," Eric says, "You never meant for it to happen." "Hell, yes, I did. I've wanted her since you two started dating."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/let-me-guess-eric-says-you-never-meant-for-it-to-happen-hell-yes-i/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“It’s the difference between dancing along the eggshell crust of acquaintance and diving into the messy center of a relationship.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/it-s-the-difference-between-dancing-along-the-eggshell-crust-of/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Because hate's just the flip side of love. Like heads and tails on a dime. If you don't know what it feels like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/because-hate-s-just-the-flip-side-of-love-like-heads-and-tails-on-a/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Some women are meant to change the world, while others are meant to hold it together. And then there are those of us who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/some-women-are-meant-to-change-the-world-while-others-are-meant-to/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [I love feeling loved. I don't love knowing that I will always come in second place. I love the fact that at least sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/i-love-feeling-loved-i-don-t-love-knowing-that-i-will-always-come-in/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Music is the language of memory”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/music-is-the-language-of-memory/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [But there is a different between mending someone who's broken and finding someone who makes you complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/but-there-is-a-different-between-mending-someone-who-s-broken-and/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“sometimes words are not big enough to contain all the feelings you are trying to pour into them. My”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/sometimes-words-are-not-big-enough-to-contain-all-the-feelings-you/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“The age wasn't as important as the milestones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/the-age-wasn-t-as-important-as-the-milestones/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [The night is falling down around us. Meteors rain like fireworks, quick rips in the seam of the dark... Every second, another streak of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/the-night-is-falling-down-around-us-meteors-rain-like-fireworks-quick/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“When she had packed all the artifacts that made up their personal history into liquor store boxes, the house became strictly a feminine place.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/when-she-had-packed-all-the-artifacts-that-made-up-their-personal/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Maybe who we are isn't so much about what we do, but rather what we're capable of when we least expect it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/maybe-who-we-are-isn-t-so-much-about-what-we-do-but-rather-what-we-re/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Here's what I hadn't realized : the mother you haven't seen for almost 36 years isn't your mother. She is a stranger. Sharing DNA…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/here-s-what-i-hadn-t-realized-the-mother-you-haven-t-seen-for-almost/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [My brother believed in all sorts of mythical creatures: pixies, dragons, werewolves, honest men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/my-brother-believed-in-all-sorts-of-mythical-creatures-pixies-dragons/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) [Explore all 2,062 Jodi Picoult quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What do parents look like?\" \"You know how the tightrope guy at the circus wants everyone to believe his act is an art, but deep down you can see that he's really just hoping he makes it all the way across? Like that.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jodi Picoult" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-the-tightrope-guy-at-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-the-tightrope-guy-at-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/jodi-picoult-45_art_what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-t_916279.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/jodi-picoult-45_art_what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-t_916279.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/jodi-picoult-45_art_what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-t_916279.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What do parents look like?\" \"You know how the tightrope guy at the circus wants everyone to believe his act…” — Jodi Picoult", "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": "Jodi Picoult", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“What do parents look like?\" \"You...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-the-tightrope-guy-at-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/what-do-parents-look-like-you-know-how-the-tightrope-guy-at-the/#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 } } ] } ```