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Culture Quote by John Ortberg

“The human longings that are deep inside of us never go away. They exist across cultures; they exist throughout life. When people were first made, our deepest longing was to know and be known. And after the Fall, when we all got weird, it's still our deepest longing - but it's now also our deepest…” quote by John Ortberg
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“The human longings that are deep inside of us never go away. They exist across cultures; they exist throughout life. When people were first made, our deepest longing was to know and be known. And after the Fall, when we all got weird, it's still our deepest longing - but it's now also our deepest fear.”

John Ortberg

About This Quote

Source Book: The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg, 2008

Humans have an enduring desire to be understood and to understand others, a need that persists across cultures and life stages, yet it also creates fear of rejection.

In simple terms: We long to be known and to know others, which can also cause fear.

Key Takeaway

Embrace vulnerability and seek authentic connections.

Themes

identity connection fear longing culture

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • relationships
  • therapy
  • team building
  • cross‑cultural communication
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

existential psychology spirituality

Questions to Reflect On

  • What relationships do you avoid out of fear?
  • How can you safely share your true self?
A Different Perspective

Fear can lead to avoidance, limiting deep connections.

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