This was not the time to say “I don’t know.” The brothers…
““This was not the time to say “I don’t know.” The brothers had begging, hungry looks, like dogs waiting to be fed. They wanted an answer. It would be nice if it was the right answer, but if it couldn’t be, then any answer would do, because then we would stop being worried...and then his mind caught alight. That’s what the gods are! An answer that will do! Because there’s food to be caught and babies to be born and life to be lived and so there is no time for big, complicated, and worrying answers! Please give us a simple answer, so that we don’t have to think, because if we think, we might find answers that don’t fit the way we want the world to be.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People in crisis often demand simple, reassuring answers rather than complex truths, preferring comfort over critical thinking.
In simple terms: Crisis drives demand for easy answers.
Key Takeaway
Offer clarity, not oversimplification.
Themes
crisis
comfort
decision‑making
authority
faith
Mood
anxious
reflective
hopeful
Type
advice
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- political debates
- personal crises
- marketing pitches
- emergency response
- family disputes
Key Concepts
psychology
cognitive bias
social pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we prefer easy answers in stressful times?
- How can we balance simplicity with truth?
A Different Perspective
Simple answers can ignore nuance and lead to poor decisions.