"All cruel people describe themselves as paragons of frankness"
- Tennessee Williams
About this Quote
This quote by Tennessee Williams is a commentary on the nature of cruelty. It recommends that those who are cruel frequently try to validate their habits by declaring that they are just being honest and direct. However, Williams implies that this is not the case. Cruelty is not a sign of frankness, but rather a sign of an absence of empathy and understanding. It is a way of disregarding the feelings of others and overlooking the effects of one's actions. In this way, Williams recommends that those who are harsh are not apotheosis of frankness, but rather are self-centered and inconsiderate.
"The opportunity to create a small world between two pieces of cardboard, where time exists yet stands still, where people talk and I tell them what to say, is exciting and rewarding"