One of the things that I have learned, one of the…
““One of the things that I have learned, one of the attainments of the long travails and tribulations, has been, I think, coming to a simpler sense of myself that I think correlates to a simpler sense of others. Something closer to what I now call the simple sense of being human, a sort of Wallace Stevens-esque formulation. I know that I can reach this in the audience, because when they start hearing a story, they wake up in this very clear, simple way. Almost like children. It’s the same thing: a child asks, “What’s going to happen next?” When they sense that a story is being told to them, they wake up. When they sense that it’s not being told anymore, they lose interest. I take this very seriously, because the sacred trust that allows openness is the precondition of the kind of exchange I want to have, the kind of relationship that I want to have. I don’t want to test that simple sense of being human. I don’t want to transform it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker describes learning that simplifying one’s self‑perception aligns with a more authentic, child‑like engagement in storytelling, fostering trust and openness in relationships.
In simple terms: Simplify self to connect genuinely with others through story.
Key Takeaway
Embrace simplicity to build trust.
Themes
storytelling
authenticity
trust
humanity
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- teaching
- leadership
- creative writing
Key Concepts
self‑awareness
psychology
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you maintain depth while staying simple?
- What stories awaken your child‑like curiosity?
A Different Perspective
Simplicity may overlook complexity of diverse experiences.