Expression Quote by Laurence Sterne
““I could wish to spy the nakedness of their hearts, and through the different disguises of customs, climates, and religion, find out what is good in them, to fashion my own by. It is for this reason that I have not seen the Palais Royal - nor the facade of the Louvre - nor have attempted to swell the catalogues we have of pictures, statues, and churches - I conceive every fair being as a temple, and would rather enter in, and see the original drawings and loose sketches hung up in it, than the Transfiguration of Raphael itself.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne, 1759
The speaker prefers authentic inner truth over polished external appearances, seeking the genuine essence behind cultural masks.
In simple terms: Seek true character, not surface shows.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond appearances.
Themes
authenticity
perception
culture
Mood
contemplative
curious
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- cross‑cultural encounters
- museum visits
- art appreciation
Key Concepts
philosophy
human nature
art criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- What masks do you assume people wear?
- How can you discover genuine values?
A Different Perspective
Surface beauty can mislead; deeper truth may be hidden or inaccessible.
