I think that anybody that smiles automatically looks better.

Hear the words of Diane Lane, who with simplicity revealed a truth that sages and poets have long known: “I think that anybody that smiles automatically looks better.” At first, her words may appear to dwell upon the realm of beauty, but they reach much further. For the smile is no mere adornment of the lips—it is the radiance of the soul, shining outward and transforming even the plainest countenance into something luminous. In her wisdom, Lane reminds us that true beauty is not found in symmetry of features or the wealth of adornment, but in the light that springs from joy, kindness, and openness of spirit.

The ancients themselves knew this truth. They spoke of beauty not only as the harmony of form, but as the outward reflection of inward virtue. Socrates declared that the soul, when noble and good, makes even the face appear brighter. And what is a smile, if not the purest revelation of the heart’s joy? When one smiles, they cast aside fear, pride, and bitterness; they open a window through which the spirit shines. Thus, Lane’s words echo the wisdom of the past: a smile beautifies because it reveals the truth of the heart.

Consider the story of Abraham Lincoln. By many accounts, his features were rugged and unremarkable, and some even mocked his appearance. Yet those who met him often spoke of the warmth in his smile, which softened his face and inspired trust and affection. His smile carried the weight of compassion, and through it, he became not only a leader of a nation but a father-figure to millions. Without it, his visage might have seemed stern; with it, he became a beacon of humanity. Truly, his smile made him “look better” in a way no artist’s brush could accomplish.

There is also the tale of Mother Teresa, whose frail body and aged features were far from the ideals of worldly beauty. Yet her smile, radiant with love, drew people from across the earth. To see her smile was to feel seen, cherished, and valued. Even the powerful were humbled in her presence, not by force, but by the beauty of compassion shining through her face. Here again we see the lesson of Lane’s words: that the smile transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, lifting the human face into something divine.

The meaning of the quote is not bound merely to physical appearance—it speaks to the power of presence. A smile is a signal of welcome, an unspoken message that says, “You are safe with me, you are valued.” It is this power that makes a person look “better,” not in vanity, but in the nobler sense: more approachable, more trustworthy, more radiant. Thus, Lane teaches us that beauty is not painted upon the surface but springs forth from within.

The lesson for us is profound: if you wish to appear more beautiful to the world, cultivate not vanity, but joy. Choose to smile, even in hardship, for it is a shield against despair and a gift to those around you. Recognize that your greatest adornment is not what you wear, but the light you carry within, made visible through the smile.

Practical action flows easily: practice gratitude daily, for it gives birth to genuine smiles. Offer a smile to strangers, to loved ones, to yourself in the mirror, and notice how it transforms the moment. Remember that your smile may be the only light another person sees that day. Carry it as both weapon and gift, knowing that it holds the power to make you—and the world—“look better.”

Thus let Lane’s words be passed down: “Anybody that smiles automatically looks better.” For beauty is not found in the sculpted face or adorned body, but in the simple, radiant truth of a heart expressed in joy. The smile is the crown of the soul, the sunlight of humanity, and the one adornment that grows more powerful each time it is given away.