---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We learn that it is not the rays which…"
description: "\"We learn that it is not the rays which bodies absorb, but those which they reject, that give them the colours they are known by; and in the same way pe..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d6/thomas-hardy-410_antagonism_we-learn-that-it-is-not-the-rays-which-b_1040022.jpg"
---

#  We learn that it is not the rays which bodies absorb, but…

![“We learn that it is not the rays which bodies absorb, but those which they reject, that give them the colours they are known by; and in the same way people are specialized by their dislikes and antagonisms, whilst their goodwill is looked upon as no attribute at all.” quote by Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d6/thomas-hardy-410_antagonism_we-learn-that-it-is-not-the-rays-which-b_1040022.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d6/thomas-hardy-410_antagonism_we-learn-that-it-is-not-the-rays-which-b_1040022.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d6/thomas-hardy-410_antagonism_we-learn-that-it-is-not-the-rays-which-b_1040022.jpg)

> “We learn that it is not the rays which bodies absorb, but those which they reject, that give them the colours they are known by; and in the same way people are specialized by their dislikes and antagonisms, whilst their goodwill is looked upon as no attribute at all.”

[Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Dislikes and antagonisms shape identity more than acceptance, suggesting that what we reject defines our character

**In simple terms:** Rejection defines us more than acceptance

Key Takeaway

Reflect on what you reject to understand yourself

Themes

identity dislike self‑definition

Mood

introspective serious

Type

philosophical psychological

When to use this quote

- personal growth
- conflict resolution
- artistic expression
- social analysis

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What do your rejections reveal about you?
- Can embracing dislikes lead to healthier boundaries?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on negativity may ignore positive traits

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Antagonism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/antagonism/) [Attributes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attributes/) [Bodies Absorb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bodies-absorb-2425580/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Colour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/colour/) [Dislike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dislike/) [Dislikes Antagonisms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dislikes-antagonisms-2425583/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Goodwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodwill/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Rays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rays/) [Reject Colours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reject-colours-2425584/) [Rejects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rejects/) [Specialized Dislikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/specialized-dislikes-2425582/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Whilst Goodwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whilst-goodwill-2425581/)

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## More by Thomas Hardy

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