"I was raised to be charming, not sincere"

This quote by Stephen Sondheim speaks with the concept of having the ability to place on a program for others, while not always being authentic in one's actions. It recommends that the speaker was taught to be more concerned with looks than with being truthful and authentic. This could be analyzed as a commentary on the superficiality of society, where individuals are more concerned with how they are perceived than with being genuine. It might also be seen as a reflection of the speaker's own insecurities, as they might have been taught to place on a show in order to be accepted by others. Eventually, this quote talks to the concept that it is frequently simpler to be charming than to be sincere.