--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can't control how things that you're…" description: "\"You can't control how things that you're involved with are received. But 'The Thick of It' wasn't intended as an instruction manual. Writers like heari..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/jesse-armstrong-5759_celebration_you-can-t-control-how-things-that-you-re_2402155.jpg" --- # You can't control how things that you're involved with are… ![“You can't control how things that you're involved with are received. But 'The Thick of It' wasn't intended as an instruction manual. Writers like hearing how bits of this stuff have got out into the world - but it was not meant to be a joyful celebration of the way these people behave.” quote by Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/jesse-armstrong-5759_celebration_you-can-t-control-how-things-that-you-re_2402155.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/jesse-armstrong-5759_celebration_you-can-t-control-how-things-that-you-re_2402155.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/jesse-armstrong-5759_celebration_you-can-t-control-how-things-that-you-re_2402155.jpg) > “You can't control how things that you're involved with are received. But 'The Thick of It' wasn't intended as an instruction manual. Writers like hearing how bits of this stuff have got out into the world - but it was not meant to be a joyful celebration of the way these people behave.” [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creators often see their work interpreted in ways they never intended, leading to misunderstandings about its purpose. **In simple terms:** People may misread the intent behind creative works. Key Takeaway Clarify intent when sharing work. Themes misinterpretation creative intent media reception Mood reflective cautious Type cautionary observational When to use this quote - marketing campaigns - public speeches - social media posts - product launches Key Concepts authorial intent public perception communication Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure your message is understood? - What steps can creators take to manage audience expectations? A Different Perspective Audience expectations can differ from creator goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bits Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bits-stuff-5820492/) [Celebration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebration/) [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Control Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control-things-265354/) [Involved Received](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/involved-received-2826835/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Behave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-behave-289792/) [Wasn Intended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasn-intended-6019700/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Anytime I'm involved with anything that's well-received, it's a surprise to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-david/anytime-i-m-involved-with-anything-that-s-well-received-it-s-a/) [Larry David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-david/) > [“This is the thing where the bits do the stuff”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous9499/this-is-the-thing-where-the-bits-do-the-stuff/) [Anonymous9499](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous9499/) > [I think behind closed doors people behave differently no matter what period we're looking at, because people have to stand up straight in public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-blethyn/i-think-behind-closed-doors-people-behave-differently-no-matter-what/) [Brenda Blethyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-blethyn/) > [“I am sure you have come across older people who behave like children. They want everything, whine for attention, bitch about the smallest things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saidi-mdala/i-am-sure-you-have-come-across-older-people-who-behave-like-children/) [Saidi Mdala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saidi-mdala/) > [I am struck by the way people behave on the Tube. They look at each other beadily and inquisitively, and something goes on in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-swift/i-am-struck-by-the-way-people-behave-on-the-tube-they-look-at-each/) [Graham Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-swift/) > [“findings suggest that by six months of age, infants are watching how people behave toward other people, and they are developing a preference for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/findings-suggest-that-by-six-months-of-age-infants-are-watching-how/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [“Many times you cannot control the actual circumstances of your life and how people behave around you, but you can control your own reactions. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatyana-williams/many-times-you-cannot-control-the-actual-circumstances-of-your-life/) [Tatyana Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatyana-williams/) > [I've always been interested in why do people behave in certain ways which are crazy from a normal point of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sayani-gupta/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-why-do-people-behave-in-certain-ways/) [Sayani Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sayani-gupta/) > [The pressure to conform to an authority figure or peer group can cause people to behave in shocking ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lofgren/the-pressure-to-conform-to-an-authority-figure-or-peer-group-can/) [Mike Lofgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lofgren/) > [I think any time people behave in a way that's truly them, then they'll never fail. You get in trouble when you try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-think-any-time-people-behave-in-a-way-that-s-truly-them-then-they/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) > [People who behave rarely make history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-linkner/people-who-behave-rarely-make-history/) [Josh Linkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-linkner/) > [Markets do very weird things because it reacts to how people behave, and sometimes people are a little screwy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/markets-do-very-weird-things-because-it-reacts-to-how-people-behave/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [I can't judge the way other people behave. I can only look at myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyndi-lauper/i-can-t-judge-the-way-other-people-behave-i-can-only-look-at-myself/) [Cyndi Lauper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyndi-lauper/) > [You know, class is like magic. There's nothing there you can point to, it evaporates if you try to analyse it, but it's real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-walton/you-know-class-is-like-magic-there-s-nothing-there-you-can-point-to/) [Jo Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-walton/) > [“Some people behave as though they are having an allergic reaction to feelings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/some-people-behave-as-though-they-are-having-an-allergic-reaction-to/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) ## More by Jesse Armstrong > [You've got to trust the audience, and hopefully if you do interesting work you'll get an audience that are interested and engaged. But if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/you-ve-got-to-trust-the-audience-and-hopefully-if-you-do-interesting/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [Wars are hard to look at head-on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/wars-are-hard-to-look-at-head-on/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [I'm in the game of realism so happy endings probably feel a little bit too neat for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/i-m-in-the-game-of-realism-so-happy-endings-probably-feel-a-little/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [Because Oswestry is very much an Anglo-Welsh mix it can lead you to feeling a bit bipolar sometimes. I mean, you're in England but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/because-oswestry-is-very-much-an-anglo-welsh-mix-it-can-lead-you-to/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [I like people to make their own decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/i-like-people-to-make-their-own-decisions/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [There are lots of great characters in fiction who viewers and readers have engaged with that behave badly. Great characters can be unfaithful. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/there-are-lots-of-great-characters-in-fiction-who-viewers-and-readers/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [The writers' room is an open forum where anything mad or weird that aggressively shakes up the show can be suggested and considered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/the-writers-room-is-an-open-forum-where-anything-mad-or-weird-that/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [Trump is just extraordinarily unusual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/trump-is-just-extraordinarily-unusual/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [I do think it's really tough being super-rich, really hard-working and wanting to get some sort of immortality by passing on the organisation to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/i-do-think-it-s-really-tough-being-super-rich-really-hard-working-and/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [Most of us now have opinions on such things as road tolling, the U.S. position on climate change, and the correct colour of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/most-of-us-now-have-opinions-on-such-things-as-road-tolling-the-u-s/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [Unlike many hour-long scripted American dramas, 'Succession' has very few standing sets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/unlike-many-hour-long-scripted-american-dramas-succession-has-very/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [There's loads of succession stories to draw on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/there-s-loads-of-succession-stories-to-draw-on/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [As a private individual, it's probably not worth having a foreign policy of your own at all. Not unless you own at least a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/as-a-private-individual-it-s-probably-not-worth-having-a-foreign/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [Why do I bother having all my stupid opinions? I mean, really, my ever evolving Balkan policy of the mid-1990s - what did I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/why-do-i-bother-having-all-my-stupid-opinions-i-mean-really-my-ever/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) > [There's an underlying sense that your family should accord you a greater level of safety in your interactions with them. When that's violated, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-armstrong/there-s-an-underlying-sense-that-your-family-should-accord-you-a/) [Jesse Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) [Explore all 100 Jesse Armstrong quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-armstrong/) ## More Celebration quotes > [Spiritually, life is a festival, a celebration. Joy is of the essence of life;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnivesh/spiritually-life-is-a-festival-a-celebration-joy-is-of-the-essence-of/) [Agnivesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnivesh/) > [The official independence celebration was going to be held over four or five days, and a group of journalists from all over the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryszard-kapuscinski/the-official-independence-celebration-was-going-to-be-held-over-four/) [Ryszard Kapuscinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryszard-kapuscinski/) > [Missouri has a rich history and diverse heritage that deserves a proper celebration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-parson/missouri-has-a-rich-history-and-diverse-heritage-that-deserves-a/) [Mike Parson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-parson/) > [Every day we have a special reason to make a good celebration! And that reason is our very existence!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/every-day-we-have-a-special-reason-to-make-a-good-celebration-and/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“At the water's edge, barrels of pitch blazed like huge bonfires. Their reflection, crimson as the rising moon, crept to meet us in long,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/at-the-water-s-edge-barrels-of-pitch-blazed-like-huge-bonfires-their/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [One of my earliest memories is being backstage at 'Bran Nue Dae' in Darwin when I was about eight. It's such a fun, happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shari-sebbens/one-of-my-earliest-memories-is-being-backstage-at-bran-nue-dae-in/) [Shari Sebbens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shari-sebbens/) > [God does not ask your ability Or your inability. He asks only your availability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/god-does-not-ask-your-ability-or-your-inability-he-asks-only-your/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [My 'Idea of India' calls not just for tolerance, but a celebration of all points of view. Where the sensibilities of every individual are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/my-idea-of-india-calls-not-just-for-tolerance-but-a-celebration-of/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Growing up, there were a lot of funerals that I attended, and the adults at the funerals went out of their way to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-fuller/growing-up-there-were-a-lot-of-funerals-that-i-attended-and-the/) [Bryan Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-fuller/) > [So your life becomes a vital celebration, your relationship becomes a festive thing. Whatsoever you do, every moment is a festival. You eat, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/so-your-life-becomes-a-vital-celebration-your-relationship-becomes-a/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [What I love about the East End is that there's a great perseverance, determination and courage. What I dislike about it is that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-marsan/what-i-love-about-the-east-end-is-that-there-s-a-great-perseverance/) [Eddie Marsan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-marsan/) > [“This was the image Angeline had of him at the time; always moving to the edges of some sort of celebration.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-coplin/this-was-the-image-angeline-had-of-him-at-the-time-always-moving-to/) [Amanda Coplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-coplin/) > [People of our time are losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating we seek to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/people-of-our-time-are-losing-the-power-of-celebration-instead-of/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [Thinking about writing as an act of celebration is sometimes a helpful framework for me. It allows me to prioritize what I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-kay/thinking-about-writing-as-an-act-of-celebration-is-sometimes-a/) [Sarah Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-kay/) > [Tolerance and celebration of individual differences is the fire that fuels lasting love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hannah/tolerance-and-celebration-of-individual-differences-is-the-fire-that/) [Tom Hannah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hannah/) [Browse all 963 Celebration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebration/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can't control how things that you're involved with are received. But 'The Thick of It' wasn't intended as an instruction manual. 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