--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I can read books and news articles about…" description: "\"I can read books and news articles about people who have excelled, people who have done extremely well in their chosen field, or made a lot of money, o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c9/john-s-hall-22155_articles_i-can-read-books-and-news-articles-about_1699926.jpg" --- # I can read books and news articles about people who have… ![“I can read books and news articles about people who have excelled, people who have done extremely well in their chosen field, or made a lot of money, or married well, or what have you. When some people read this stuff, they get inspired, but when I read it, it makes me feel worse. Sometimes I wish…” quote by John S. Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c9/john-s-hall-22155_articles_i-can-read-books-and-news-articles-about_1699926.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c9/john-s-hall-22155_articles_i-can-read-books-and-news-articles-about_1699926.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c9/john-s-hall-22155_articles_i-can-read-books-and-news-articles-about_1699926.jpg) > “I can read books and news articles about people who have excelled, people who have done extremely well in their chosen field, or made a lot of money, or married well, or what have you. When some people read this stuff, they get inspired, but when I read it, it makes me feel worse. Sometimes I wish I had never learned to read.” [John S. Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-hall/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comparing oneself to high‑achieving others can trigger envy and self‑doubt rather than motivation. **In simple terms:** Seeing success can make you feel inadequate. Key Takeaway Limit exposure to comparison‑driven content. Themes self‑esteem comparison motivation media influence Mood reflective melancholic cautious Type advice personal psychological When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - media consumption - mental health - goal setting Key Concepts social comparison theory cognitive bias self‑determination theory Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your negative feelings when you read about others' success? - How could you reframe these stories to learn rather than compare? A Different Perspective If you stop reading success stories, you may miss useful strategies and inspiration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Lots of money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lots-of-money/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [News](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/news/) [News Article](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/news-article/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [“Well, if you want to be a writer, you’re going to have to start letting people read your stuff, you know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellie-mcallen/well-if-you-want-to-be-a-writer-you-re-going-to-have-to-start-letting/) [Kellie McAllen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellie-mcallen/) > [Not many people read my stuff, but I really like the ones that do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-k-vaughan/not-many-people-read-my-stuff-but-i-really-like-the-ones-that-do/) [Brian K. Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-k-vaughan/) > [I would love to have new people to read my stuff wouldn't you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prettyboyswag/i-would-love-to-have-new-people-to-read-my-stuff-wouldn-t-you/) [Prettyboyswag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prettyboyswag/) > [When I was five I learned to read. 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