--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What does it matter, if we tell the same…" description: "\"What does it matter, if we tell the same old stories? ...Stories tell us who we are. What we’re capable of. When we go out looking for stories we are, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/kameron-hurley-2960_capable_what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same_989801.png" --- # What does it matter, if we tell the same old stories?… ![“What does it matter, if we tell the same old stories? ...Stories tell us who we are. What we’re capable of. When we go out looking for stories we are, I think, in many ways going in search of ourselves, trying to find understanding of our lives, and the people around us. Stories, and language tell…” quote by Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/kameron-hurley-2960_capable_what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same_989801.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/kameron-hurley-2960_capable_what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same_989801.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/kameron-hurley-2960_capable_what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same_989801.png) > “What does it matter, if we tell the same old stories? ...Stories tell us who we are. What we’re capable of. When we go out looking for stories we are, I think, in many ways going in search of ourselves, trying to find understanding of our lives, and the people around us. Stories, and language tell us what’s important.” [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stories shape identity and guide understanding of self and others, revealing values and possibilities. **In simple terms:** Stories define who we are and what we can become. Key Takeaway Seek stories that reflect your journey. Themes identity self-discovery culture Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - therapy - education - community building Key Concepts narrative meaning-making empathy Questions to Reflect On - How do your favorite stories mirror your life? - What narratives limit your self‑view? A Different Perspective Stories can oversimplify complex lives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Old stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-stories/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [“Storytelling? God started that. Discovery. Lust. Murder. Revenge. Power. Sin. Redemption. Forgiveness. Miracles. We simply retell the stories in the language of our generation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-r-miller/storytelling-god-started-that-discovery-lust-murder-revenge-power-sin/) [Dennis R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-r-miller/) > [I am always looking for stories that will shed light on how companies define themselves - for better or for worse. When shared with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/i-am-always-looking-for-stories-that-will-shed-light-on-how-companies/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [I dont go looking for stories with the idea of wrongness in my head, no. But the fact is, a lot of great stories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/i-dont-go-looking-for-stories-with-the-idea-of-wrongness-in-my-head/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) > [I'm looking for stories that make me sit up and take notice. For engagement with language and style in ways that the genre doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalo-hopkinson/i-m-looking-for-stories-that-make-me-sit-up-and-take-notice-for/) [Nalo Hopkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalo-hopkinson/) > [I don't go looking for stories with the idea of wrongness in my head, no. But the fact is, a lot of great stories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/i-don-t-go-looking-for-stories-with-the-idea-of-wrongness-in-my-head/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) > [There are tons of stories out there. I read a lot of scripts on a weekly basis. I'm looking for stories to tell and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-l-jackson/there-are-tons-of-stories-out-there-i-read-a-lot-of-scripts-on-a/) [Samuel L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-l-jackson/) > [When you're looking for stories or movies usually the great stories are about people in their 30s or 40s because they've lived more life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-hill/when-you-re-looking-for-stories-or-movies-usually-the-great-stories/) [Jonah Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-hill/) > [I continue to enjoy looking for stories, and trying to do the best job I can reporting and writing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-greene/i-continue-to-enjoy-looking-for-stories-and-trying-to-do-the-best-job/) [Bob Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-greene/) > [Today audiences are not just watching films for stars but are rather looking at stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satish-kaushik/today-audiences-are-not-just-watching-films-for-stars-but-are-rather/) [Satish Kaushik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satish-kaushik/) > [I'm an artist - I'm an actor - so when I'm looking for something, I'm looking for stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-victor-dixon/i-m-an-artist-i-m-an-actor-so-when-i-m-looking-for-something-i-m/) [Brandon Victor Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-victor-dixon/) > [The world is full of fictional characters looking for their stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/the-world-is-full-of-fictional-characters-looking-for-their-stories/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [I honestly would tell anyone young to start looking at stories and learning story, because I think that’s the next step after people go,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-odenkirk/i-honestly-would-tell-anyone-young-to-start-looking-at-stories-and/) [Bob Odenkirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-odenkirk/) > [“There are some stories that don’t want telling,” Gian said. “Some stories you tell, they make things worse. Not better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/there-are-some-stories-that-don-t-want-telling-gian-said-some-stories/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [I try to just talk about human stories and what I think about religion or teapots or whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/i-try-to-just-talk-about-human-stories-and-what-i-think-about/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [Most of the stories I have go downhill quickly. In all honesty most of the good stories I have, no one else would think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jd-era/most-of-the-stories-i-have-go-downhill-quickly-in-all-honesty-most-of/) [JD Era](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jd-era/) ## More by Kameron Hurley > [I'm terribly particular about what I read: lush writing, secondary world or seriously far-out science fiction, strong worldbuilding, dynamic characters. I need to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/i-m-terribly-particular-about-what-i-read-lush-writing-secondary/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [“Living is the purpose, Roh. For however long we have to do it, we live. That's all. That's all the ever was." "We aren't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/living-is-the-purpose-roh-for-however-long-we-have-to-do-it-we-live/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [“Nyx was a lot of things, but forgettable wasn't one of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/nyx-was-a-lot-of-things-but-forgettable-wasn-t-one-of-them/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > ['The Stars are Legion' is part space opera, part thriller, about two warring families battling it out for control over a legion of organic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/the-stars-are-legion-is-part-space-opera-part-thriller-about-two/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [“Nyx was not a nice woman. She knew she didn’t deal with nice women. But she also knew the worst sorts of things these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/nyx-was-not-a-nice-woman-she-knew-she-didn-t-deal-with-nice-women-but/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [“We all create the stories we need to survive”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/we-all-create-the-stories-we-need-to-survive/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [“independence is one of the greatest delusions of youth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/independence-is-one-of-the-greatest-delusions-of-youth/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [I understand that space travel and expansion is just as much about altering ourselves, our attitudes, our social structures, our very biology, as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/i-understand-that-space-travel-and-expansion-is-just-as-much-about/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [I want to be constantly in awe of the possibilities of the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/i-want-to-be-constantly-in-awe-of-the-possibilities-of-the-universe/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [When I was a kid, I watched a lot of 'Twilight Zone.' My mother was obsessed with the show, as it was a staple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/when-i-was-a-kid-i-watched-a-lot-of-twilight-zone-my-mother-was/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [Short fiction isn't my natural form. It's taken a lot of work over the years to finally feel more comfortable writing stories under 80,000 words!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/short-fiction-isn-t-my-natural-form-it-s-taken-a-lot-of-work-over-the/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [Know that you're gonna screw up, and be OK with it, and do better next time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/know-that-you-re-gonna-screw-up-and-be-ok-with-it-and-do-better-next/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [I don't like to write about things that bore me, and that means I steer far clear of writing books that are just like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/i-don-t-like-to-write-about-things-that-bore-me-and-that-means-i/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [“Rumour has it you've turned castration into an occupation." "You go cutting one guy's cock off and you never hear the end of it,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/rumour-has-it-you-ve-turned-castration-into-an-occupation-you-go/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [“Perhaps every society is a utopia when you fail to peel up all the layers and look at what's underneath”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/perhaps-every-society-is-a-utopia-when-you-fail-to-peel-up-all-the/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) [Explore all 144 Kameron Hurley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) ## More Capable quotes > [When we are capable of living in the moment free from the tyranny of "shoulds," free from the nagging sensation that this moment isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-z-borysenko/when-we-are-capable-of-living-in-the-moment-free-from-the-tyranny-of/) [Joan Z. Borysenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-z-borysenko/) > [Everybody is different. Some writers can write reams of great books and then J. D. Salinger wrote just a few. Beethoven wrote nine symphonies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/everybody-is-different-some-writers-can-write-reams-of-great-books/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [People are capable of great, great change during the span of one lifetime. And women even more than men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-zevin/people-are-capable-of-great-great-change-during-the-span-of-one/) [Gabrielle Zevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-zevin/) > [When you lived it for years and years and years and seen different characters just get pummeled and squashed because 'I said so,' it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arn-anderson/when-you-lived-it-for-years-and-years-and-years-and-seen-different/) [Arn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arn-anderson/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [But, outside of being a sweet little girl, she was awfully dumb and capable of doing horrible things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/but-outside-of-being-a-sweet-little-girl-she-was-awfully-dumb-and/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [I was terrible student. I was capable, but I never like being told what to do, so I was always in the bottom class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-was-terrible-student-i-was-capable-but-i-never-like-being-told-what/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [Not everyone is capable of madness; and of those lucky enough to be capable, not many have the courage for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/not-everyone-is-capable-of-madness-and-of-those-lucky-enough-to-be/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [ \[The Community's\] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-guerin/the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give-me-confidence-but-i-derive-my/) [Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-guerin/) > [The mathematical facts worthy of being studied are those which, by their analogy with other facts, are capable of leading us to the knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/the-mathematical-facts-worthy-of-being-studied-are-those-which-by/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [“If you not yet try How to know you can or not?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sopharat/if-you-not-yet-try-how-to-know-you-can-or-not/) Sopharat > [I'm attracted to the garden, without a doubt, but I always try and image the wolf that's there, too. And that wolf would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-light/i-m-attracted-to-the-garden-without-a-doubt-but-i-always-try-and/) [Michael Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-light/) > [A man, as a man, could arrive at all the dignity that a man was capable of obtaining or receiving; but it needed a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor/a-man-as-a-man-could-arrive-at-all-the-dignity-that-a-man-was-capable/) [John Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor/) > [Playing is much, much harder than composing in my opinion, becoming a player. If you want to be a player for all your life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-powell/playing-is-much-much-harder-than-composing-in-my-opinion-becoming-a/) [John Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-powell/) > [How difficult the task to quench the fire and the pride of private ambition, and to sacrifice ourselves and all our hopes and expectations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-adams/how-difficult-the-task-to-quench-the-fire-and-the-pride-of-private/) [Abigail Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-adams/) Browse all 3,861 Capable quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What does it matter, if we tell the same old stories? ...Stories tell us who we are. What we’re capable of. When we go out looking for stories we are, I think, in many ways going in search of ourselves, trying to find understanding of our lives, and the people around us. Stories, and language tell us what’s important.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kameron Hurley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same-old-stories-stories-tell-us/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Capable" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same-old-stories-stories-tell-us/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/kameron-hurley-2960_capable_what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same_989801.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/kameron-hurley-2960_capable_what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same_989801.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84f/kameron-hurley-2960_capable_what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same_989801.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What does it matter, if we tell the same old stories? ...Stories tell us who we are. What we’re capable of…” — Kameron Hurley", "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": "Kameron Hurley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What does it matter, if we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same-old-stories-stories-tell-us/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/what-does-it-matter-if-we-tell-the-same-old-stories-stories-tell-us/#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 } } ] } ```