--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We all paint on a face to show the…" description: "\"“We all paint on a face to show the world,\" Nicholas replies philosophically. \"For some of us, that's quite literal.”\" — L.H. Cosway" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78b/l-h-cosway-9003_artist_we-all-paint-on-a-face-to-show-the-world_265014.jpg" --- # We all paint on a face to show the world," Nicholas… ![“We all paint on a face to show the world," Nicholas replies philosophically. "For some of us, that's quite literal.” quote by L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78b/l-h-cosway-9003_artist_we-all-paint-on-a-face-to-show-the-world_265014.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78b/l-h-cosway-9003_artist_we-all-paint-on-a-face-to-show-the-world_265014.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78b/l-h-cosway-9003_artist_we-all-paint-on-a-face-to-show-the-world_265014.jpg) > ““We all paint on a face to show the world," Nicholas replies philosophically. "For some of us, that's quite literal.”” [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People present curated personas to the world, sometimes literally through makeup. **In simple terms:** We mask ourselves socially. Key Takeaway Be authentic in self‑presentation. Themes identity appearance self‑expression Mood introspective thoughtful Type psychological cultural When to use this quote - social media - theater - daily interactions Key Concepts Performance social masks authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What masks do you wear? - When does masking become harmful? A Different Perspective Masks can protect; they can also deceive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ## Related quotes > [You curl your hair and paint your face. Not I: I am curled by the wind, painted by the sun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-de-burgos/you-curl-your-hair-and-paint-your-face-not-i-i-am-curled-by-the-wind/) [Julia de Burgos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-de-burgos/) > [I used to skip school and paint my face with Ace Frehley Kiss make-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimebag-darrell/i-used-to-skip-school-and-paint-my-face-with-ace-frehley-kiss-make-up/) [Dimebag Darrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimebag-darrell/) > [All those day-glow freaks who used to paint the face, they've joined the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steely-dan/all-those-day-glow-freaks-who-used-to-paint-the-face-they-ve-joined/) [Steely Dan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steely-dan/) > [You have to have at least some kind of baseline coverage under the studio lights. It's not like normal makeup; it's like walking around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-wagner/you-have-to-have-at-least-some-kind-of-baseline-coverage-under-the/) [Alex Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-wagner/) > [Are we to paint what's on the face, what's inside the face, or what's behind it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/are-we-to-paint-what-s-on-the-face-what-s-inside-the-face-or-what-s/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [I see myself as no color. I can play the role of a man. I can paint my face white if I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-jones/i-see-myself-as-no-color-i-can-play-the-role-of-a-man-i-can-paint-my-2/) [Grace Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-jones/) > [I paint all the time. Each night I wrestle, I paint my face because I am an artist. It's kind of all coming together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hardy/i-paint-all-the-time-each-night-i-wrestle-i-paint-my-face-because-i/) [Jeff Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hardy/) > [I paint my face and travel at night. You don't know it's over until you're in a body bag.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-e-reed-jr/i-paint-my-face-and-travel-at-night-you-don-t-know-it-s-over-until/) [Ralph E. Reed, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-e-reed-jr/) > [I paint my face because 50 percent of me is dead inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darby-allin/i-paint-my-face-because-50-percent-of-me-is-dead-inside/) [Darby Allin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darby-allin/) > [“Paint your face and paint your smile...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-crow/paint-your-face-and-paint-your-smile/) The Crow > [Everybody always laughs because I feel so much more comfortable with, like, a giant paper bag on my whole body and paint on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/everybody-always-laughs-because-i-feel-so-much-more-comfortable-with/) [Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/) > [“mind Nell was writing: —ornamentation of neck, wrists, fingers —paint on face only”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-king/mind-nell-was-writing-ornamentation-of-neck-wrists-fingers-paint-on/) [Lily King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-king/) > [I don't want to face the reality of what people want from a female pop star. Everybody always laughs because I feel so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/i-don-t-want-to-face-the-reality-of-what-people-want-from-a-female/) [Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/) > [“I PAINT MY FACE. By Omrane Khuder. Mirror, distorted; I sit, paint my Face, Toxic white Make-up buries my Scars, My Eyes tell lies;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omrane-khuder/i-paint-my-face-by-omrane-khuder-mirror-distorted-i-sit-paint-my-face/) Omrane Khuder > [“Philosophically, you can believe anything, so long as you do not claim it to be true. Morally, you can practice anything, so long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/philosophically-you-can-believe-anything-so-long-as-you-do-not-claim/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) ## More by L.H. Cosway > [“I think I’ve missed you all my life,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/i-think-i-ve-missed-you-all-my-life/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“I'm thinking he might be a sex pest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/i-m-thinking-he-might-be-a-sex-pest/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“Cruelty is easy, and it breeds only misery. Kindness is harder, and you have to be brave to give it. To be cruel, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/cruelty-is-easy-and-it-breeds-only-misery-kindness-is-harder-and-you/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“He really is a beautiful mess. A beautiful mess that sucks you in and messes you up too. If I fly too close to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/he-really-is-a-beautiful-mess-a-beautiful-mess-that-sucks-you-in-and/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“Nicholas is gay, isn't he," she says, her voice dripping with dejection. I shrug, again remembering his proposition from last night. "Not necessarily. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/nicholas-is-gay-isn-t-he-she-says-her-voice-dripping-with-dejection-i/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“Happiness was a stranger, but misery was dear old friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/happiness-was-a-stranger-but-misery-was-dear-old-friend/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“You know, you should think about getting in touch with Gabriel, he's your half-brother and also a really good guy.” Delilah looks at me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/you-know-you-should-think-about-getting-in-touch-with-gabriel-he-s/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“I think I might have dreamt you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/i-think-i-might-have-dreamt-you/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“You need a job and I need a PA, why don’t you come and work for me?” “No thanks, God knows what being your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/you-need-a-job-and-i-need-a-pa-why-don-t-you-come-and-work-for-me-no/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“We all see a lot when we decide to truly look.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/we-all-see-a-lot-when-we-decide-to-truly-look/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“Yeah, I’m bringing back the word “slattern.” Deal”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/yeah-i-m-bringing-back-the-word-slattern-deal/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“You have sex on the brain twenty-four seven Viv. I think you might need therapy." "Perhaps I do. Don't get me wrong I'm no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/you-have-sex-on-the-brain-twenty-four-seven-viv-i-think-you-might/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“You'll always be my friend, won't you Fred? Don't let me fuck this up. I need you in my life now. I need the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/you-ll-always-be-my-friend-won-t-you-fred-don-t-let-me-fuck-this-up-i/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“I wanted to kiss away his hurts…or at least make his hurts some cookies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/i-wanted-to-kiss-away-his-hurts-or-at-least-make-his-hurts-some/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) > [“Bitch has more issues than Vogue.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-h-cosway/bitch-has-more-issues-than-vogue/) [L.H. Cosway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) [Explore all 76 L.H. Cosway quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-h-cosway/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [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/) > [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/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“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 > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [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 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/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We all paint on a face to show the world,\" Nicholas replies philosophically. \"For some of us, that's quite literal.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "L.H. 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