Worldly faces never look so worldly as at a funeral. They have the same effect of grating incongruity as the sound of a coarse voice breaking the solemn silence of night.

Summary

This quote suggests that people's true nature is often betrayed in the context of a funeral. When attending a funeral, where decorum and solemnity are expected, any expression or behavior that is incompatible with the somber atmosphere becomes conspicuous and uncomfortable. The juxtaposition of a ordinary, secular demeanor against the backdrop of mourning highlights the contrast between the worldly concerns of individuals and the reverence due to the deceased. The quote serves to underline the jarring discordance caused by insensitivity or insincerity in a situation marked by sorrow and respect.

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