Quote by Leo Tolstoy

But the princess had never seen the beautiful expression of her eyes; the expression that came into them when she was not thinking of herself. As is the case with everyone, her face assumed an affected, unnatural, ugly expression as soon as she looked in the looking glass.

But the princess had never seen the beautiful expression of

Summary

This quote highlights the contrast between the genuine beauty that resides in a person's eyes when they are not preoccupied with self-obsession versus the artificial, unattractive expression that emerges when they focus on their own appearance. It serves as a metaphor for the idea that true beauty lies beyond physical attributes and is best expressed when one is not self-absorbed or concerned with external validation. The quote suggests that the princess lacks self-awareness and genuine sincerity, as her reflection in the looking glass does not reflect the beauty present when she is not consumed by self-consciousness.

Topics

Beauty

By Leo Tolstoy

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

A wave of anger washed over me, anger against myself, at my

A wave of anger washed over me, anger against myself, at my age at the time, that stupid lyrically age, when a man is too great a riddle to himself to be interested in the riddles outside himself and when other people are mere walking mirrors in which he is amazed to find his own emotions, his own worth.

Anger

Life isn't about finding yourself.

Life isn't about finding yourself.

It is unfortunately very true that, without leisure and mone

It is unfortunately very true that, without leisure and money, love can be no more than an orgy of the common man. Instead of being a sudden impulse full of ardor and reverie, it becomes a distastefully utilitarian affair.

Charles Baudelaire

Love

Sometimes you've got to be able to listen to yourself and be

Sometimes you've got to be able to listen to yourself and be okay with no one else understanding.

Christopher Barzak

Inspirational

I look for people who're passionate, dedicated to the text,

I look for people who're passionate, dedicated to the text, and in whom I trust completely.

Trust

I tell young people - including my granddaughter - there is

I tell young people - including my granddaughter - there is no shortcut in life. You have to take it one step at a time and work hard. And you have to give back.

Instead of getting married again. I'm going to find a woman

Instead of getting married again. I'm going to find a woman I don't like and give her a house.

Marriage

One had better die fighting against injustice than die like

One had better die fighting against injustice than die like a dog or a rat in a trap.

Justice

I always recommend a sensible diet, including lots of carboh

I always recommend a sensible diet, including lots of carbohydrates and avoiding too much fat. Dancers don't need different fuel from other people - they just need more of it because they use more energy.

Diet

But my experience is that people who have been through painf

But my experience is that people who have been through painful, difficult times are filled with compassion.

Experience

I believe that true beauty of chess is more than enough to s

I believe that true beauty of chess is more than enough to satisfy all possible demands.

Alexander Alekhine

Beauty

I've been acting my whole life. I have this huge imagination

I've been acting my whole life. I have this huge imagination! I'm a dancer and my mom's a dance teacher, and I was always performing and entertaining people. I'd go to see live theatre or a movie, and I'd become the main character for a few days afterwards. I loved being somebody new for a temporary amount of time.

Imagination