Painterly ornate gold hand mirror among red and gold confetti and velvet fabric.

Original artwork, not a still

The Lady of Lyons

Edward George Earl Bulwer-Lytton

Rank is a great beautifier.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

Rank makes people look lovelier than they are. The speaker suggests that status works like a flattering filter, adding glamour to whoever holds it. It's a dry observation about how power dresses up appearances and admiration.

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