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Not very long ago some one invented the assertion that…

“Not very long ago some one invented the assertion that there were only "Four Hundred" people in New York City who were really worth noticing. But a wiser man has arisen - the census taker - and his larger estimate of human interest has been preferred in marking out the field of these little…” quote by O. Henry
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“Not very long ago some one invented the assertion that there were only "Four Hundred" people in New York City who were really worth noticing. But a wiser man has arisen - the census taker - and his larger estimate of human interest has been preferred in marking out the field of these little stories of the "Four Million.”

O. Henry

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He jokes that many more people are interesting than a select few.

In simple terms: Everyone has a story worth noticing.

Key Takeaway

Look for stories in everyday people.

Themes

humanity storytelling diversity

Mood

humorous observational

Type

literary social commentary

When to use this quote

  • urban life
  • journalism
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

literature social observation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you decide which stories matter?
  • What biases affect our perception of “worth”?
A Different Perspective

Not all stories are equally compelling.

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