What Audrey Hepburn taught us about the art of living
With style and grace, Audrey Hepburn became an icon for womanhood. Here’s what she taught us about life, love, and kindness.
One lazy Sunday — I wish I could remember how long ago — my Mum and I spent the afternoon watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It was the first time I’d ever watched an Audrey Hepburn movie, and it marked the beginning of my love for classic movies.
There are a few names that epitomise the world of Classic Hollywood — Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Gregory Peck — but fewer of them stir intrigue like Audrey Hepburn.
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” — Audrey Hepburn
Take a look through Hollywood films from the 1950s and you’ll predominantly see buxom beauties. With her skinny waist, short hair, and thick eyebrows, Audrey Hepburn single-handedly changed the way leading ladies looked in Hollywood, and fundamentally shook up the ‘system’ of Hollywood.
An iconic actress? Of course. But, she was more. A campaigner. A humanitarian. A symbol of feminism.
Her parents were Nazi Sympathisers, but she gave her support to the Dutch Resistance (donating money and aiding Jews in hiding). This empathy goes way beyond mere ‘style icon’.
She was proud of her beliefs that real beauty lay on the inside. And, for this, her contribution to womanhood will always be relevant, and just as timeless as she is.
Here are five lessons Audrey Hepburn taught us about the art of living.
“Make-up can only make you look pretty on the outside but it doesn’t help if your ugly on the inside. Unless you eat the make-up.”
They sell it all over the cover of magazines and blast it on social media: A woman’s charm and beauty is measured by her physique. Yawn.
One of Audrey Hepburn’s most important lessons in true beauty is that it lies on the inside. This quote is one of my favourites by Audrey; it’s funny and succinct.
The quote tells us that superficial beauty cannot sink beneath the skin; it cannot make a human being good on the inside. Of course, Audrey Hepburn didn’t go without make-up, but her lesson here is that it’s wise not to mistake it for making us beautiful on the inside. No make-up or physique in the world can make you a kind, empathetic person.
“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”
What many people admired about Audrey Hepburn was her refusal to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Sure, she took a few major roles that brought her a world of fame, but she always had her priorities straight.
“I may not always be offered work. But I will always have my family.” — Audrey Hepburn
Our lesson here is that our careers should never define us. All that really matters in life are those we choose to share it with. True beauty comes from the connections we share with others.
“I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.”
It’s no secret that Audrey Hepburn’s philosophy in life was that beauty is never about aesthetics, but more about the soul.
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” — Audrey Hepburn
When we are truly happy with ourselves, our beauty will radiate from the inside out. If you’re at peace with yourself, it will show in your smile. No beauty routine in the world can charade as genuine inner self-acceptance.
“I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it.”
Audrey Hepburn had a passionate empathy. Her humanitarian work as an ambassador for UNICEF was not a role she took lightly. She was active in supporting the needs of children in third-world countries, and went through her life with love, warmth, and care.
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” — Audrey Hepburn
It’s important to inject as much love into the world as possible — especially in the current climate. Stay kind, stay grateful, stay modest.
“The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart. That is where love resides.”
If you look at a photograph of Audrey Hepburn, you’ll find yourself immediately captivated by her eyes.
“Anyone who does not believe in miracles is not a realist.” — Audrey Hepburn
If it’s true that the eyes are the window to our souls, then we can assume our beauty radiates from the inside out. The positive traits and qualities a person shares with the world is always something I admire.
Love and be loved.
By cultivating kindness and striving to be courteous, we can make the world a kinder place. None of us are perfect, of course, but believe that your real beauty lies in the way you treat others.
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn used her fame to do good for those less fortunate.
Whatever you do, wherever you go, whoever you meet, always remember that how you treat people is significant in this world — it’s impact immeasurable.
You can find out more about me and what I do on my website here, my Twitter here, and my Medium here.
