--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A master was once unmoved by the…" description: "\"A master was once unmoved by the complaints of his disciples that, though they listened with pleasure to his parables and stories, they were also frust..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/anthony-de-mello-1331_complaints_a-master-was-once-unmoved-by-the-complai_1888308.png" --- # A master was once unmoved by the complaints of his… ![“A master was once unmoved by the complaints of his disciples that, though they listened with pleasure to his parables and stories, they were also frustrated for they longed for something deeper. To all their objections he would simply reply: 'You have yet to understand, my friends, that the…” quote by Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/anthony-de-mello-1331_complaints_a-master-was-once-unmoved-by-the-complai_1888308.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/anthony-de-mello-1331_complaints_a-master-was-once-unmoved-by-the-complai_1888308.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5c/anthony-de-mello-1331_complaints_a-master-was-once-unmoved-by-the-complai_1888308.png) > “A master was once unmoved by the complaints of his disciples that, though they listened with pleasure to his parables and stories, they were also frustrated for they longed for something deeper. To all their objections he would simply reply: 'You have yet to understand, my friends, that the shortest distance between a human being and truth is a story.'” [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stories bridge the gap between intellect and deeper truth, making insight accessible. **In simple terms:** Stories help us grasp deeper truth. Key Takeaway Use stories to convey complex ideas simply. Themes communication learning truth storytelling Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - teaching - leadership - conflict resolution - personal growth Key Concepts philosophy psychology education Questions to Reflect On - What story could you tell to illustrate a personal insight? - When have you felt a story revealed hidden truth? A Different Perspective Stories can oversimplify nuanced truths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Complaints](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complaints/) [Complaints Disciples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complaints-disciples-2710582/) [Deeper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeper/) [Deeper Objections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeper-objections-2710583/) [Disciple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disciple/) [Disciples Listened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disciples-listened-2710581/) [Distance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distance/) [Frustrated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frustrated/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Longed Deeper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longed-deeper-2710580/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [My friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-friends/) [Objections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objections/) [Parables](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parables/) [Parables Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parables-stories-2710584/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Truth is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-is/) ## Related quotes > [“Take the Gospel parables: what are these stories, these narratives, if not powerful invitations to people to locate themselves within the situations of others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-davison/take-the-gospel-parables-what-are-these-stories-these-narratives-if/) [Andrew Davison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-davison/) > [My great objection to this government is, that it does not leave us the means of defending our rights, or of waging war against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/my-great-objection-to-this-government-is-that-it-does-not-leave-us/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [I am because the Chinese have agreed - entered into this agreement in 1997. It sets out the circumstances in which the release of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-brandis/i-am-because-the-chinese-have-agreed-entered-into-this-agreement-in/) [George Brandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-brandis/) > [Whoever builds his faith exclusively on demonstrative proofs and deductive arguments, builds a faith on which it is impossible to rely. For he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-arabi/whoever-builds-his-faith-exclusively-on-demonstrative-proofs-and/) [Ibn Arabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-arabi/) > [It would not be possible for Noah to do in our day what he was permitted to do in his own ... The inspector…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/it-would-not-be-possible-for-noah-to-do-in-our-day-what-he-was/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Stem cells are probably going to be extremely useful. But it isn't a given, and even if it were, I don't think the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murray/stem-cells-are-probably-going-to-be-extremely-useful-but-it-isn-t-a/) [Joseph Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murray/) > [In England the practice of "virtual" representation provided reasonably well for the actual representation of the major interests of the society, and it raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-bailyn/in-england-the-practice-of-virtual-representation-provided-reasonably/) [Bernard Bailyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-bailyn/) > [Prophet Mohammed would have no objection to The Satanic Verses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/prophet-mohammed-would-have-no-objection-to-the-satanic-verses/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“People naturally have questions. They always have and always will. One of the key functions of apologetics, then, is to respond to questions and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-mcdowell/people-naturally-have-questions-they-always-have-and-always-will-one/) [Josh McDowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-mcdowell/) > [When the whole discussion of "developing a national idea" hastily began in post-Soviet Russia, I tried to pour cold water on it with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/when-the-whole-discussion-of-developing-a-national-idea-hastily-began/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [I've picked passion-driven businesses where I create a concept, or produce a film, from scratch. You have to be tenacious to overcome the constant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanan-kattan/i-ve-picked-passion-driven-businesses-where-i-create-a-concept-or/) [Hanan Kattan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanan-kattan/) > [“at their disposal. So they assemble in protests to convey their objections. What’s wrong with that? A similar outpouring came recently from American Walter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-scully/at-their-disposal-so-they-assemble-in-protests-to-convey-their/) [Matthew Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-scully/) > [Among many other weighty objections to the Measure, it has been suggested, that it has a tendency to introduce religious disputes into the Army,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/among-many-other-weighty-objections-to-the-measure-it-has-been/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [“Set aside your repertoire of objections and own 100 percent of your focus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/set-aside-your-repertoire-of-objections-and-own-100-percent-of-your/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [Each Act of Parliament intended to address harassment and discrimination has faced objections on the basis of 'you'll never be able to prove...' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-field/each-act-of-parliament-intended-to-address-harassment-and/) [Tim Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-field/) ## More by Anthony de Mello > [The poor think they will be happy when they become rich. The rich think they will be happy when they are rid of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/the-poor-think-they-will-be-happy-when-they-become-rich-the-rich/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [You only change what you understand. What you do not understand and are not aware of, you repress. You dont change. But when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/you-only-change-what-you-understand-what-you-do-not-understand-and/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [A zealous disciple expressed a desire to teach others the Truth and asked the Master what he thought about this. The Master said, "Wait."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/a-zealous-disciple-expressed-a-desire-to-teach-others-the-truth-and/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [As the Arabs say, "The nature of rain is the same, but it makes thorns grow in the marshes and flowers in the gardens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/as-the-arabs-say-the-nature-of-rain-is-the-same-but-it-makes-thorns/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [Sinners often speak the truth. And saints have led people astray. Examine what is said, not the one who says it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/sinners-often-speak-the-truth-and-saints-have-led-people-astray/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [Isn't there such a thing as social liberation?" "Of course there is," said the Master. "How would you describe it?" "Liberation from the need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/isn-t-there-such-a-thing-as-social-liberation-of-course-there-is-said/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [The important thing is not to know who "I" is or what "I" is. You'll never succeed. There are no words for it. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/the-important-thing-is-not-to-know-who-i-is-or-what-i-is-you-ll-never/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [And increasingly - you know this and so do I we're losing the youth everywhere. They hate us; they are not interested in having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/and-increasingly-you-know-this-and-so-do-i-we-re-losing-the-youth/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [Spirituality practiced in the state of activity is incomparably superior to that practiced in a state of withdrawel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/spirituality-practiced-in-the-state-of-activity-is-incomparably/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [You know, all mystics - Catholic, Christian, non-Christian, no matter what their theology, no matter what their religion - are unanimous on one thing:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/you-know-all-mystics-catholic-christian-non-christian-no-matter-what/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [There were rules in the monastery, but the Master always warned against the tyranny of the law. 'Obedience keeps the rules,' he would say.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/there-were-rules-in-the-monastery-but-the-master-always-warned/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [A disciple, in his reverence for the Master, looked upon him as God incarnate. "Tell me, O Master," he said, "why you have come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/a-disciple-in-his-reverence-for-the-master-looked-upon-him-as-god/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [“And how about you? Do you want to understand and play the game of life or fool around with miracles?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/and-how-about-you-do-you-want-to-understand-and-play-the-game-of-life/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [You don't have to add anything in order to be happy; you've got to drop something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/you-don-t-have-to-add-anything-in-order-to-be-happy-you-ve-got-to/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [Rare indeed, is the relationship in which the other is not cultivated for what one can get for oneself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/rare-indeed-is-the-relationship-in-which-the-other-is-not-cultivated/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) [Explore all 253 Anthony de Mello quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) ## More Complaints quotes > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-proliferation-of-right-to-carry-laws-throughout-the-states-has/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Gratitude is the law of increase, and complaint is the law of decrease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-scovel-shinn/gratitude-is-the-law-of-increase-and-complaint-is-the-law-of-decrease/) [Florence Scovel Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-scovel-shinn/) > [I was so drunk last night I fell down and missed the floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-martin/i-was-so-drunk-last-night-i-fell-down-and-missed-the-floor/) [Dean Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-martin/) > [Wherever I am, I see the yoke on women in some form or another. On some it sits easy for they are but beasts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abby-may-alcott/wherever-i-am-i-see-the-yoke-on-women-in-some-form-or-another-on-some/) [Abby May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abby-may-alcott/) > [My mother spoke of Christ to my father, by her feminine and childlike virtues, and, after having borne his violence without a murmur or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/my-mother-spoke-of-christ-to-my-father-by-her-feminine-and-childlike/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [The greatest form of maturity is at harvest time. This is when we must learn how to reap without complaint if the amounts are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/the-greatest-form-of-maturity-is-at-harvest-time-this-is-when-we-must/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [I've had diseases that lasted longer than my marriages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-carter/i-ve-had-diseases-that-lasted-longer-than-my-marriages/) [Nell Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-carter/) > [A prudent pharmacist often vends something for your complaint. But wine merchant you do this invariably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-campion/a-prudent-pharmacist-often-vends-something-for-your-complaint-but/) [Thomas Campion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-campion/) > [“If you believe that the world is conspiring against you, it will just do that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/if-you-believe-that-the-world-is-conspiring-against-you-it-will-just/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [Writing as a woman presents enormous problems but I have attempted it several times and haven't had many complaints.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harrison/writing-as-a-woman-presents-enormous-problems-but-i-have-attempted-it/) [Jim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harrison/) > [Sometimes I feel like an old hooker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cher/sometimes-i-feel-like-an-old-hooker/) [Cher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cher/) > [You could at least complain,” I say. “I adore complaining. It calms the nerves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franny-billingsley/you-could-at-least-complain-i-say-i-adore-complaining-it-calms-the/) [Franny Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franny-billingsley/) > [I think that it's extraordinarily important that we in computer science keep fun in computing. When it started out, it was an awful lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-perlis/i-think-that-it-s-extraordinarily-important-that-we-in-computer/) [Alan Perlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-perlis/) > [I've always been a happy-go-lucky person. I haven't got any dark tales, I didn't draw on my own past, I'm from a very normal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicky-mcclure/i-ve-always-been-a-happy-go-lucky-person-i-haven-t-got-any-dark-tales/) [Vicky McClure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicky-mcclure/) [Browse all 597 Complaints quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complaints/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A master was once unmoved by the complaints of his disciples that, though they listened with pleasure to his parables and stories, they were also frustrated for they longed for something deeper. 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