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That I was a swimmer made no waves; it seems to be a law…

“That I was a swimmer made no waves; it seems to be a law of human nature that those who live by the sea are suspicious of swimmers, just as those who live in the mountains are suspicious of mountain climbers.” quote by Yann Martel
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““That I was a swimmer made no waves; it seems to be a law of human nature that those who live by the sea are suspicious of swimmers, just as those who live in the mountains are suspicious of mountain climbers.””

Yann Martel

About This Quote

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

The passage suggests that people often distrust those who share their environment because of perceived competition or threat, even when the outsider is harmless.

In simple terms: People distrust similar others out of fear.

Key Takeaway

Beware bias against those who share your world.

Themes

bias trust environment human nature

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • coastal communities
  • mountain villages
  • team sports
  • workplace collaboration

Key Concepts

ingroup/outgroup dynamics social psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What experiences can bridge distrust?
  • How does environment shape prejudice?
A Different Perspective

The statement overlooks that trust can be built through shared experience.

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