In a world full of filters, airbrushed images, and extensive “anti-aging” skin care routines, it can be hard for any of us to feel as if our physical beauty measures up. Society often seems to prioritize attractiveness over moral goodness and places ever-increasing demands on just how beautiful we should strive to be.
But as we all surely know by now, looks fade, no matter how much sunscreen and retinol we slather on our skin, how much time we spend pumping iron at the gym, or how well we monitor our nutritional intake. As Dolly Parton’s character said in 1989’s Steel Magnolias, “Honey, time marches on, and eventually you realize it’s marchin' across your face.”
The good news is that true beauty is everlasting and has nothing to do with our physical appearance. Rather, it’s based on the tenderness of our hearts. A truly beautiful person glows from the inside out, radiating kindness, selflessness, and thoughtfulness. If you’re someone who makes those around you feel seen, listened to, and cared for, there’s nothing prettier than that.
Outer beauty attracts, but inner beauty captivates.Kate Angell
You are beautiful no matter what they say / Words can’t bring you down, oh no / You are beautiful in every single way.Christina Aguilera
When you’re tempted to get down on yourself because of the way you look on the outside, remember that your true beauty comes from who you are on the inside.Mandy Hale
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Exterior beauty without the depth of a kind soul is merely decoration.Unknown
That’s always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they’re pretty. It’s like picking your breakfast cereals based on color instead of taste.John Green
If you retain nothing else, always remember the most important Rule of Beauty. “Who cares?”Tina Fey
True beauty is not related to what color your hair is or what color your eyes are. True beauty is about who you are as a human being, your principles, your moral compass.Ellen DeGeneres
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth.1 Peter 3:3-4
True beauty is about celebrating authenticity.Pamela Anderson
A thing of beauty is a joy forever: / Its loveliness increases; it will never / Pass into nothingness.John Keats
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor even touched, but just felt in the heart.Helen Keller
My number one beauty tip is happiness.Bobbi Brown
A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.Roald Dahl
Featured image credit: Nokuro/ Shutterstock
