--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You need to try to master the ability to…" description: "\"You need to try to master the ability to feel sad without actually being sad.\" — Laurie Anderson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a23/laurie-anderson-3908_ability_you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to_462318.png" --- # You need to try to master the ability to feel sad without… ![“You need to try to master the ability to feel sad without actually being sad.” quote by Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a23/laurie-anderson-3908_ability_you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to_462318.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a23/laurie-anderson-3908_ability_you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to_462318.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a23/laurie-anderson-3908_ability_you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to_462318.png) > “You need to try to master the ability to feel sad without actually being sad.” [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning to experience sadness without being consumed by it promotes emotional resilience. **In simple terms:** Feel sadness without being sad. Key Takeaway Practice emotional detachment. Themes psychology emotions resilience Mood introspective calm Type self‑help philosophical When to use this quote - therapy sessions - creative work - personal growth Key Concepts mindfulness emotional regulation Questions to Reflect On - How can one balance feeling and letting go? - What techniques aid in emotional regulation? A Different Perspective Detachment may suppress needed processing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Being sad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-sad/) ## Related quotes > [Wrap parties can be really sad, actually, disorienting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lucas/wrap-parties-can-be-really-sad-actually-disorienting/) [Josh Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lucas/) > [“Have you ever gotten so sad that it actually feels GOOD to do something you know will make you even sadder?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-frank/have-you-ever-gotten-so-sad-that-it-actually-feels-good-to-do/) [Hillary Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-frank/) > [When I see people wasting their hours doing nothing productive, nothing to contribute to the world, nothing to build relationships, it makes me sad.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delilah/when-i-see-people-wasting-their-hours-doing-nothing-productive/) [Delilah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delilah/) > [It's sad, actually, because my anxiety keeps me from enjoying things as much as I should at this age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seyfried/it-s-sad-actually-because-my-anxiety-keeps-me-from-enjoying-things-as/) [Amanda Seyfried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seyfried/) > [The sad part is she actually loved you and trusted you. and you put a bullet through her heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley/the-sad-part-is-she-actually-loved-you-and-trusted-you-and-you-put-a/) [Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley/) > [“Yes, the man said, I've often wondered why I impress people as being altogether sad, and yet I insist I am not sad, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-hayes/yes-the-man-said-i-ve-often-wondered-why-i-impress-people-as-being/) [Alfred Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-hayes/) > [Saying Im Tired When You Are Actually Sad...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenya/saying-im-tired-when-you-are-actually-sad/) Kenya > [“He reminds me of Robin Williams at the end of Dead Poets Society - there's a little smile on his face, but you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-wittlinger/he-reminds-me-of-robin-williams-at-the-end-of-dead-poets-society/) [Ellen Wittlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-wittlinger/) > [Saying I'm tired when you're actually sad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhat/saying-i-m-tired-when-you-re-actually-sad/) [Zhat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhat/) > [98% of people online really would not care if you killed yourself. only 2% would of those 2% would actually cry and be sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaylee-newton/98-of-people-online-really-would-not-care-if-you-killed-yourself-only/) [Kaylee Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaylee-newton/) > [98% of the people online really would not care if you killed yourself. Only 2% would and those 2% would actually cry and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/98-of-the-people-online-really-would-not-care-if-you-killed-yourself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [98% of people on facebook really would not care if you killed yourself only 2% would and those 2% would actually cry and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/98-of-people-on-facebook-really-would-not-care-if-you-killed-yourself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That's actually sad :(](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-s-actually-sad/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's actually sad to be rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masayoshi-son/it-s-actually-sad-to-be-rich/) [Masayoshi Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masayoshi-son/) > [Confidence is the ability to feel beautiful without needing someone to tell you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-chable/confidence-is-the-ability-to-feel-beautiful-without-needing-someone/) [Ana Chable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-chable/) ## More by Laurie Anderson > [Being an artist is a totally godlike thing to do - and I have a god complex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/being-an-artist-is-a-totally-godlike-thing-to-do-and-i-have-a-god/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [It's the tradition of American writers getting away in order to see the country - to get a better view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/it-s-the-tradition-of-american-writers-getting-away-in-order-to-see/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [The best thing about the term 'performance artist' is that it includes just about everything you might want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/the-best-thing-about-the-term-performance-artist-is-that-it-includes/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [If I'm confused, I just spend some time looking at the sky and falling into it. It's not a meditation that anyone taught me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/if-i-m-confused-i-just-spend-some-time-looking-at-the-sky-and-falling/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [I think a lot of people in Washington are extremely suspicious of NASA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/i-think-a-lot-of-people-in-washington-are-extremely-suspicious-of-nasa/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [And there was a beutiful view But nobody could see Cause everybody on the island Was saying Look at me! Look at me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/and-there-was-a-beutiful-view-but-nobody-could-see-cause-everybody-on/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [I think artists who are attracted to working on the Net will adjust their work to the capabilities of a very small screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/i-think-artists-who-are-attracted-to-working-on-the-net-will-adjust/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [Dogs don't just like us, they love us, and they admire us. The big reason they admire us is we invented cars. They're like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/dogs-don-t-just-like-us-they-love-us-and-they-admire-us-the-big/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [Paradise Is exactly like Where you are right now Only much much Better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/paradise-is-exactly-like-where-you-are-right-now-only-much-much-better/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [A lot of the work in United States is highly critical of technology. I'm using 15,000 watts of power and 18 different pieces of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/a-lot-of-the-work-in-united-states-is-highly-critical-of-technology-i/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [Something that has so much power must have life. Instruments have life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/something-that-has-so-much-power-must-have-life-instruments-have-life/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [Books are the way the dead talk to the living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/books-are-the-way-the-dead-talk-to-the-living/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [I see and write things first as an artist, second as a woman, and third as a New Yorker. All three have built-in perspectives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/i-see-and-write-things-first-as-an-artist-second-as-a-woman-and-third/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [I am a New Yorker, one; I'm an artist, two; I'm a woman, three.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/i-am-a-new-yorker-one-i-m-an-artist-two-i-m-a-woman-three/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [I'm not usually where I think I am. It's kind of spooky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/i-m-not-usually-where-i-think-i-am-it-s-kind-of-spooky/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) [Explore all 118 Laurie Anderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You need to try to master the ability to feel sad without actually being sad.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laurie Anderson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to-feel-sad-without-actually/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to-feel-sad-without-actually/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a23/laurie-anderson-3908_ability_you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to_462318.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a23/laurie-anderson-3908_ability_you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to_462318.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a23/laurie-anderson-3908_ability_you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to_462318.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You need to try to master the ability to feel sad without actually being sad.” — Laurie Anderson", "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": "Laurie Anderson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You need to try to master...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to-feel-sad-without-actually/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/you-need-to-try-to-master-the-ability-to-feel-sad-without-actually/#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 } } ] } ```