To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes
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I looked behind me. To the left of the brown door was a long shuttered window. I walked to it, stood in front of it, and turned around. In daylight, I thought, you could see to the post office corner. […]
Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.
Context
We're in the final chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird, and Scout is taking Atticus's advice to heart.
She's standing on the Radley porch, imagining what Boo has seen over the last few years. And what has Boo has seen? Yep, the life and times of Jem and Scout. Just like Boo felt compassion for these kids over the years, Scout is finally able to feel compassion for Boo.
Took her long enough, eh?
Where you've heard it
This is an "aha" moment of sorts. The sentiment is common. The way Scout phrases it? Not so much.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
There's nothing pretentious about compassion and empathy.