---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is an odd paradox that a society…"
description: "\"It is an odd paradox that a society, which can now speak openly and unabashedly about topics that were once unspeakable, still remains largely silent w..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-close-8097_actresses_it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-whic_1084092.jpg"
---

#  It is an odd paradox that a society, which can now speak…

![“It is an odd paradox that a society, which can now speak openly and unabashedly about topics that were once unspeakable, still remains largely silent when it comes to mental illness” quote by Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-close-8097_actresses_it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-whic_1084092.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-close-8097_actresses_it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-whic_1084092.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-close-8097_actresses_it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-whic_1084092.jpg)

> “It is an odd paradox that a society, which can now speak openly and unabashedly about topics that were once unspeakable, still remains largely silent when it comes to mental illness”

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

## About This Quote

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

Even though society now openly discusses many topics, mental illness remains largely unspoken.

**In simple terms:** Open dialogue exists, but mental health is still taboo.

Key Takeaway

Break the silence on mental health.

Themes

stigma communication mental health societal norms silence

Mood

somber hopeful

Type

advocacy philosophical

When to use this quote

- Therapy sessions
- support groups
- media campaigns
- education programs

Key Concepts

Psychology social change public awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- Why does mental illness stay silent?
- How can we encourage open conversation?

A Different Perspective

Cultural resistance may impede open discussion.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Actresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) [Illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illness/) [Mental health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-health/) [Mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-illness/) [Odd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/odd/) [Openly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openly/) [Openly Unabashedly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openly-unabashedly-2768572/) [Openness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openness/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [Paradoxical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradoxical/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Remains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remains/) [Silent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silent/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) [Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak/) [Speak Openly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-openly-802115/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Topics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/topics/) [Topics Unspeakable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/topics-unspeakable-2768571/) [Unspeakable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unspeakable/)

## Related quotes

> [The right to be able to speak openly and confidentially to another is, at times, codified legally if not ethically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gad-saad/the-right-to-be-able-to-speak-openly-and-confidentially-to-another-is/)

[Gad Saad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gad-saad/)

> [“Speak openly. There is no one I trust more than Lutian. (Adara) He’s a half-wit, my queen. (Xerus) Half-wit, whole-wit, I have enough of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinley-macgregor/speak-openly-there-is-no-one-i-trust-more-than-lutian-adara-he-s-a/)

[Kinley MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kinley-macgregor/)

> [You can't speak openly about everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-durant/you-can-t-speak-openly-about-everything/)

[Kevin Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-durant/)

> [ Robin \[Williams\] was a world treasure. As we mourn his tragic death, we must remember him for the great waves of laughter that he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/robin-williams-was-a-world-treasure-as-we-mourn-his-tragic-death-we/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [“MRS. SMITH: Well, this is how it was. It is difficult for me to speak openly to you, but a fireman is also a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eug-ne-ionesco/mrs-smith-well-this-is-how-it-was-it-is-difficult-for-me-to-speak/)

[Eugène Ionesco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eug-ne-ionesco/)

> [“The most meaningful relationships are achieved when you and others can speak openly to each other about everything that’s important, learn together, and understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/the-most-meaningful-relationships-are-achieved-when-you-and-others/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [I think it's important to encourage young people to tell their own stories and to speak openly about their own experiences with the criminal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/i-think-it-s-important-to-encourage-young-people-to-tell-their-own/)

[Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/)

> [When we listen with the intent to understand others, rather than with the intent to reply, we begin true communication and relationship building. Opportunities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-we-listen-with-the-intent-to-understand-others-rather-than-with/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [You may live a long while with some people and be on friendly terms with them and never speak openly with them from your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-turgenev/you-may-live-a-long-while-with-some-people-and-be-on-friendly-terms/)

[Ivan Turgenev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-turgenev/)

> [When you speak openly and honestly, you won't have to make assumptions. The day you stop making assumptions, you will communicate cleanly and clearly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/when-you-speak-openly-and-honestly-you-won-t-have-to-make-assumptions/)

[Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/)

> [Audiences I speak to are often openly hostile, and I know my arguments might fall on deaf ears with 99% of the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-murray/audiences-i-speak-to-are-often-openly-hostile-and-i-know-my-arguments/)

[Douglas Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-murray/)

> [The power to gossip is more democratically distributed than power, property, and income, and, certainly, than the freedom to speak openly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-scott/the-power-to-gossip-is-more-democratically-distributed-than-power/)

[James C. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-scott/)

> [“I saw well why the gods do not speak to us openly, nor let us answer. Till that word can be dug out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/i-saw-well-why-the-gods-do-not-speak-to-us-openly-nor-let-us-answer/)

[C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/)

> [The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to speak openly and candidly on the subject of race, and to apply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/the-way-to-stop-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-race-is-to-speak/)

[Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/)

> [When the time comes to you at which you will be forced at last to utter the speech which has lain at the center…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-the-time-comes-to-you-at-which-you-will-be-forced-at-last-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Glenn Close

> [Love makes no sense at all. But it's the most powerful and amazing force in the entire universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/love-makes-no-sense-at-all-but-it-s-the-most-powerful-and-amazing/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [I love Ron Howard, he's a wonderful director, incredibly prepared. But I have to criticize my performance in that movie. It all took place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/i-love-ron-howard-he-s-a-wonderful-director-incredibly-prepared-but-i/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [As an actor, I go where the good writing is. That's the bottom line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/as-an-actor-i-go-where-the-good-writing-is-that-s-the-bottom-line/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [I don't have the body or the face for romantic comedies, so I've never been offered those. The challenge is that a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/i-don-t-have-the-body-or-the-face-for-romantic-comedies-so-i-ve-never/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [I'm not a natural ocean person. I married into a family of swimmers, and I've slowly been drawn into the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/i-m-not-a-natural-ocean-person-i-married-into-a-family-of-swimmers/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [When you're on the set, and sometimes, because it's been so complex and the writers have been really writing, sometimes up until the last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/when-you-re-on-the-set-and-sometimes-because-it-s-been-so-complex-and/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [I've often been mistaken for Meryl Streep, although never on Oscar night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/i-ve-often-been-mistaken-for-meryl-streep-although-never-on-oscar/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [I had a great time on The Shield. From working on it I have a totally different view of law enforcement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/i-had-a-great-time-on-the-shield-from-working-on-it-i-have-a-totally/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [Taking power away from a man is a dangerous thing. Someone always pays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/taking-power-away-from-a-man-is-a-dangerous-thing-someone-always-pays/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [My fellow actors inspire me a lot and really good writing inspires me. And then trying to stick to the decision to only do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/my-fellow-actors-inspire-me-a-lot-and-really-good-writing-inspires-me/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [You have to love the characters you play, even if no one else does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/you-have-to-love-the-characters-you-play-even-if-no-one-else-does/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [I get bored talking about myself, but I can talk about the work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/i-get-bored-talking-about-myself-but-i-can-talk-about-the-work/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [I've always felt that an independent film is a film that almost doesn't get made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/i-ve-always-felt-that-an-independent-film-is-a-film-that-almost-doesn/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [I'm fascinated by the First World War because it was supposed to be the war to end all wars, and it was the biggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/i-m-fascinated-by-the-first-world-war-because-it-was-supposed-to-be/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

> [I knew the term Stepford Wife, and I knew what that meant. I never read the book, and I think before I started filming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/i-knew-the-term-stepford-wife-and-i-knew-what-that-meant-i-never-read/)

[Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

[Explore all 84 Glenn Close quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/)

## More Actresses quotes

> [I feel excited about getting older as an actress, too. I think there are some amazing opportunities around the corner and I don't need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sutton-foster/i-feel-excited-about-getting-older-as-an-actress-too-i-think-there/)

[Sutton Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sutton-foster/)

> [I think most of us are raised with preconceived notions of the choices we're supposed to make. We waste so much time making decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/i-think-most-of-us-are-raised-with-preconceived-notions-of-the/)

[Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/)

> [I've been told before, and I tend to believe it, I'm not like most actresses out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/i-ve-been-told-before-and-i-tend-to-believe-it-i-m-not-like-most/)

[Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/)

> [Marilyn was a great actress, not a dumb blond bombshell. She was very smart, very astute and a good businesswoman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-schiller/marilyn-was-a-great-actress-not-a-dumb-blond-bombshell-she-was-very/)

[Lawrence Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-schiller/)

> [By the time I was seventeen, I was on my way to Hollywood and didn't look back. My family is supportive now, but like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-heard/by-the-time-i-was-seventeen-i-was-on-my-way-to-hollywood-and-didn-t/)

[Amber Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-heard/)

> [Just have fun. Smile. And keep putting on lipstick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-keaton/just-have-fun-smile-and-keep-putting-on-lipstick/)

[Diane Keaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-keaton/)

> [There are a lot of great actresses out there. You learn to appreciate each one for what they offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-pratt/there-are-a-lot-of-great-actresses-out-there-you-learn-to-appreciate/)

[Victoria Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-pratt/)

> [I want to be fulfilled creatively as an actress and get to be in roles that are meaningful and impactful. I hope the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amandla-stenberg/i-want-to-be-fulfilled-creatively-as-an-actress-and-get-to-be-in/)

[Amandla Stenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amandla-stenberg/)

> [There's certain things I try to avoid, as an actress, just to keep my world from being as narrow as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/famke-janssen/there-s-certain-things-i-try-to-avoid-as-an-actress-just-to-keep-my/)

[Famke Janssen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/famke-janssen/)

> [All the baggage that comes with fame, being an actress. The down side to it is the intrusion into your life and this expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/all-the-baggage-that-comes-with-fame-being-an-actress-the-down-side/)

[Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/)

> [I am going to be a great actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivien-leigh/i-am-going-to-be-a-great-actress/)

[Vivien Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivien-leigh/)

> [As a black actress you've got to work doubly hard. But it doesn't ever get me to the point where I give up on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naturi-naughton/as-a-black-actress-you-ve-got-to-work-doubly-hard-but-it-doesn-t-ever/)

[Naturi Naughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naturi-naughton/)

> [I've seen new actresses do one show and disappear or struggle for years to get their next break. I've been fortunate enough to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjeeda-sheikh/i-ve-seen-new-actresses-do-one-show-and-disappear-or-struggle-for/)

[Sanjeeda Sheikh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjeeda-sheikh/)

> [I knew I wanted to be an actress as soon as I popped out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-wallace/i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-an-actress-as-soon-as-i-popped-out/)

[Dee Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-wallace/)

> [Campaigning actress ASHLEY JUDD refuses to 'breed' with her racing star husband DARIO FRANCHITTI while there are starving children in the world. . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-judd/campaigning-actress-ashley-judd-refuses-to-breed-with-her-racing-star/)

[Ashley Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-judd/)

[Browse all 1,881 Actresses quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It is an odd paradox that a society, which can now speak openly and unabashedly about topics that were once unspeakable, still remains largely silent when it comes to mental illness",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Glenn Close"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-which-can-now-speak-openly-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Actresses"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-which-can-now-speak-openly-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-close-8097_actresses_it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-whic_1084092.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-close-8097_actresses_it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-whic_1084092.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-close-8097_actresses_it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-whic_1084092.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It is an odd paradox that a society, which can now speak openly and unabashedly about topics that were once…” — Glenn Close",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Glenn Close",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It is an odd paradox that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-which-can-now-speak-openly-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/it-is-an-odd-paradox-that-a-society-which-can-now-speak-openly-and/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
