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Sometimes I'm ugly, sometimes I'm art,
Sometimes I'm near and dear to your heart,
I have been known to bring about pain,
And yet I deliver relief just the same,
You know where I live, yes you know it best,
For I am not hidden like all of the rest.

What am I?

Hint #1

I come from a family where we each have a twin,
Even when we're well nourished, we always stay thin

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  • $\begingroup$ I think you should add your hint directly to the riddle. It helps narrow down the possible answers. $\endgroup$
    – xnor
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 2:42
  • $\begingroup$ I'll keep that in mind! This is the first riddle I wrote, so I'm still getting a feel for how to organize it $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 5:38
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ You could be anything, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder $\endgroup$
    – user2813274
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 14:53
  • $\begingroup$ Reading the title, my first guess was "war" - mostly because I'd just finished reading The Art of War. $\endgroup$
    – CodeMoose
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 16:33
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    $\begingroup$ @CodeMoose My guess from the title was still just "art" $\endgroup$
    – JWiley
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 18:33

9 Answers 9

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NEW GUESS

I think you're a

fingernail

Sometimes I'm ugly, sometimes I'm art,

Sometimes people let their nails get out of hand, other times they get them painted.

Sometimes I'm near and dear to your heart,

People move their hands, bringing their nails close to their heart.

I have been known to bring about pain,

Nails can scratch.

And yet I deliver relief just the same,

Nails can scratch (itches).

You know where I live, yes you know it best,

You know where your fingernails are...

For I am not hidden like all of the rest.

Fingernails aren't hidden like the rest of your 'bones' toenails.

I come from a family where we each have a twin,

We have two hands, and so we have two of each 'kind' of finger.

Even when we're well nourished, we always stay thin

Fingernails don't get fat, even when we're well fed. They just elongate.

PREVIOUS GUESS

Poem

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  • 4
    $\begingroup$ Fingernails aren't bones; they're made of keratin. Still, it looks like this is right. Unfortunately I already upvoted for 'poem' and can't upvote again! $\endgroup$
    – Rand al'Thor
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 0:31
  • $\begingroup$ Nice! You got it! $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 0:43
  • $\begingroup$ Not sure what "I am not hidden like all of the rest" refers to but... nice job. $\endgroup$
    – Mir
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 0:45
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    $\begingroup$ That one was a reference to toe nails (hidden because they're often in socks or shoes). Also "You know where I live, yes you know it best" was referring to the expression "I know that like the back of my hand," referring to knowing something extremely well. $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 0:52
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    $\begingroup$ "Sometimes people let their nails get out of hand" - intentional pun? $\endgroup$
    – user2174
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 2:29
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You are a

Testicle

Sometimes I'm ugly

Well they are.

sometimes I'm art,

many famous statues have them still attached

Sometimes I'm near and dear to your heart

When boys are young, and they haven't dropped yet they're much closer to the heart than normal

I have been known to bring about pain

indeed

And yet I deliver relief just the same

heh, yeah they do.

You know where I live, yes you know it best,

check

For I am not hidden like all of the rest.

they're out in the open, unlike the rest of your guts.

The additional hint:

I'm pretty sure they don't grow and shrink due to how well you're nourished

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  • 2
    $\begingroup$ All I can say is :-O (and +1) $\endgroup$
    – Rand al'Thor
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 9:15
  • $\begingroup$ Seriously brilliant! $\endgroup$
    – Xuntar
    Commented Mar 25, 2015 at 14:40
  • $\begingroup$ Hahah, I love this answer! :D $\endgroup$
    – Mr Pie
    Commented Sep 1, 2018 at 15:58
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Am I:

A Truth?

Sometimes I'm ugly, sometimes I'm art,

The Truth can be ugly, but when you not telling the truth (lying), it can be an art

Sometimes I'm near and dear to your heart,

Truth to your heart!

I have been known to bring about pain,

Knowing the truth can be painful

And yet I deliver relief just the same,

But also a relief to know it

You know where I live, yes you know it best,

You know when you're truth to yourself

For I am not hidden like all of the rest.

A Truth will always 'come out'?

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  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Not quite. Try checking the added hint! $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 22:49
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Fourth try:

Hmmm I suppose bones would also fit the riddle. A ribcage is near and dear to your heart, they provide relief in that gravity doesn't turn us into piles of goo. And technically they're not entirely hidden since you can see teeth. Also, as far as I know all bones come in "twin" pairs and are technically alive inside of you.

Third try:

Teeth seems to fit a little better since they always stay thin even when someone is well nourished.

Second try:

Now I'm thinking its a breast, which can get cancer and cause pain but can also provide relief. They are twins, and are usually in plain sight. And they're near and dear to your heart. And are ugly or art, etc.

The first try was

a crucifix.

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  • $\begingroup$ Not quite! Also, try to use spoiler tags for your answers here: puzzling.stackexchange.com/editing-help#spoilers $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 22:00
  • $\begingroup$ Not sure why a downvote was necessary, but I added the tag all the same. $\endgroup$
    – Mir
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 22:04
  • $\begingroup$ Alright, explanation added. $\endgroup$
    – Mir
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 22:11
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    $\begingroup$ Closer, but still not what I was thinking of. $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 23:38
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    $\begingroup$ You're so close! $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 23:57
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Updated guess

This is very silly I realize, but it's a guess.

Alcohol

Sometimes I'm ugly, sometimes I'm art

Alcohol can be ugly at times. But people rejoice and celebrate with it.

I have been known to bring about pain

Alcohol causes brain damage and damage to your body.

And yet I deliver relief just the same

People drink when they feel bad.

You know where I live, yes you know it best

It is easy to find alcohol these days at stores.

For I am not hidden like all of the rest

Some drugs are illegal but alcohol is legal.

ORIGINAL ANSWER

I'm not for sure, but I guess this fits your riddle. Is it

Love?

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  • $\begingroup$ Nope. Some of the clues might be less abstract than you think. $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 22:04
  • $\begingroup$ @Keith OK, whoops, I was looking on a more literal note :) $\endgroup$
    – Paper Towel
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 22:05
  • $\begingroup$ @Len OK, thanks Len, I have added a different anwer. $\endgroup$
    – Paper Towel
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 22:14
  • $\begingroup$ Not the one I was thinking of, but I really like your answer! Fits well with all of the juxtaposition. $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 22:15
  • $\begingroup$ Added a hint. See if that helps! $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 23:04
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You are a

tattoo

Sometimes I'm ugly, sometimes I'm art,

Tattoos can be ugly, but many people consider them art.

Sometimes I'm near and dear to your heart,

You can get a tattoo on your chest.

I have been known to bring about pain,

Getting a tattoo can be painful.

And yet I deliver relief just the same,

After it's done you may be relieved and enjoy how it looks on you.

You know where I live, yes you know it best,

I would hope you know where your tattoo is located.

For I am not hidden like all of the rest.

Most people get tattoos to show them off. If it's hidden, what's the point?

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  • $\begingroup$ Not quite. Try looking at the hint! I can add another hint as well if people are still having trouble. $\endgroup$
    – NonsenseSynapse
    Commented Mar 24, 2015 at 23:25
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Is it hands? not sure about the art/ugly hand on heart can inflict pain or relief I know it like the back of my hand you don't tend to cloth your hands

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Skin.

"I come from a family where we each have a twin" For every piece of skin on your body there is a symmetrical counterpart.

"Even when we're well nourished, we always stay thin" Skin is thin regardless how fat you are

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Nipple(s)

.

Sometimes I'm ugly, sometimes I'm art,

Depends on person to person

Sometimes I'm near and dear to your heart,

Physical proximity to heart.

I have been known to bring about pain,

And yet I deliver relief just the same,

This one I am unsure about, perhaps pleasure?

You know where I live, yes you know it best,

For I am not hidden like all of the rest.

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