--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That if enough people in a silent room…" description: "\"“That if enough people in a silent room are drinking coffee it is possible to make out the sound of steam coming off the coffee. That sometimes human b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfb/david-foster-wallace-161_anxiety_that-if-enough-people-in-a-silent-room-a_2806010.jpg" --- # That if enough people in a silent room are drinking coffee… ![“That if enough people in a silent room are drinking coffee it is possible to make out the sound of steam coming off the coffee. That sometimes human beings have to just sit in one place and, like, hurt. That you will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize…” quote by David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfb/david-foster-wallace-161_anxiety_that-if-enough-people-in-a-silent-room-a_2806010.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfb/david-foster-wallace-161_anxiety_that-if-enough-people-in-a-silent-room-a_2806010.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfb/david-foster-wallace-161_anxiety_that-if-enough-people-in-a-silent-room-a_2806010.jpg) > ““That if enough people in a silent room are drinking coffee it is possible to make out the sound of steam coming off the coffee. That sometimes human beings have to just sit in one place and, like, hurt. That you will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do. That there is such a thing as raw, unalloyed, agendaless kindness. That it is possible to fall asleep during an anxiety attack.”” [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Quiet moments reveal inner truths; accepting them reduces anxiety and fosters authentic kindness. **In simple terms:** Quiet reveals truth; acceptance eases anxiety. Key Takeaway Sit with discomfort. Themes mindfulness anxiety authenticity Mood contemplative calming Type essay philosophical When to use this quote - therapy - meditation - creative work Key Concepts psychology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How does silence affect your thoughts? - What kindness can you practice without agenda? A Different Perspective May be abstract for quick consumption. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Anxiety Attack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety-attack/) [Coffee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffee/) [Drinking coffee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drinking-coffee/) ## Related quotes > [“If, by the virtue of charity or the circumstance of desperation, you ever chance to spend a little time around a Substance-recovery halfway facility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/if-by-the-virtue-of-charity-or-the-circumstance-of-desperation-you-2/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [“You don’t drink coffee? 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Some of the best design work I’ve ever done was drinking coffee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-burka/design-is-all-about-relationships-unfortunately-many-designers-don-t/) Daniel Burka ## More by David Foster Wallace > [“I felt more solidly composed, now that I was horizontal. 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