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About this quote

What does it mean?
Carlyle humorously confesses her own harsh nature hidden behind a pleasant demeanor.
In plain terms
I look nice but I am hard inside.
What can you take from it?
External amiability does not guarantee internal gentleness.

Where it applies

  • personal confession
  • social masking
  • self-judgment

Putting it to work

  • accepting flaws
  • honesty about nature
  • managing impressions

Questions to consider

  • How much of your personality is a mask?
  • Can you be kind and harsh?

Another view

It assumes a harsh interior is universal rather than specific.

More from Jane Welsh Carlyle

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  2. Instead of boiling up individuals into the species, I would draw a chalk circle round every individuality, and preach to it to keep within that, and preserve a…

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  3. A positive engagement to marry a certain person at a certain time, at all haps and hazards, I have always considered the most ridiculous thing on earth.

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