Beauty of form affects the mind, but then it must be understood that it is not the mere shell that we admire; we are attracted by the idea that this shell is only a beautiful case adjusted to the shape and value of a still more beautiful pearl within. The perfection of outward loveliness is the soul shining through its crystalline covering. ~ Jane Porter
Discuss….
This quote reminds me of a conversation I had with a cousin over Thanksgiving. He’s single and looking. He said he was at a function with some friends and noticed a girl who was so beautiful and very classy looking. He said he noticed her pearls. He wanted to meet her all night but for some reason they kept missing each other. Just before he was to leave he was within earshot of a conversation she was having. The words she used were some of the most foul he’d ever heard. He said instantly her attractive appearance disappeared to him and he thanked God silently for keeping them apart all evening.
A beautiful inside can be radiated to the outside but when the beauty is only skin deep, the outer shell always cracks when the inner comes forth.
Comment by Blair — November 29, 2006 @ 7:42 am
Great story Blair. And a good reminder that as much as there are days when I don’t feel lovely on the outside, it’s so much more important to continue cultivating the beauty within. It is way more lasting than the external beauty.
Comment by Anita — November 29, 2006 @ 8:32 am
Man! Blair…I wish that could be a commercial or something. Young girls need to hear that!
Comment by blestwithsons — November 29, 2006 @ 11:00 am
This makes me think about the photo here: http://flickr.com/photos/79194606@N00/307636090/
You have to read what she says about the photo. Awesome stuff. I think this fits with the quote.
Comment by Mandi — November 29, 2006 @ 11:50 am
I love this quote. I have known so many beautiful women and handsome men, but once I got to know them, I wondered what it was that I had first noticed. Their ugliness of spirit overpowered what was seen. I have also known many not-so-attractive people who, after I knew them a little, were beautiful to me.
Comment by lady laura — November 29, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
It’s funny - I just read it again and it reminded me of something my mom said recently. Now keep in mind that she was being somewhat tongue-in-cheek… She said that when I lost a lot of weight right before college I got really bi***hy and that she hoped I wasn’t going to get that way again. We laughed about it -cause when I asked her to describe my ill-temperedness, it turned out she was describing typical 18 yr old behavior. So we’re hoping it was the age and not the weight loss that affected my personality at the time.
ANYway… I see this as a reminder not to neglect the inside while extremely making over the outside.
Comment by blestwithsons — November 29, 2006 @ 1:02 pm