You should be nicer to him,' a schoolmate had once said to me of some awfully ill-favored boy. 'He has no friends.' This, I realized with a pang of pity that I can still remember, was only true as long as everybody agreed to it.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the power of perception and the influence it has on our relationships. The speaker reflects on a conversation where a schoolmate encourages them to be kinder to an unattractive boy because he has no friends. However, the speaker realizes that this lack of friendship is only upheld because others believe it to be true. It suggests that changing our perceptions and treating people with kindness can break the cycle of isolation and create meaningful connections. Ultimately, the quote reminds us of the impact our judgments and actions can have on others' lives.

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