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Assuming Quote by Marilynne Robinson

“A sermon is a valuable thing now and so impressive when you do hear a good one - and there is a lot of failure in the attempt; it's a difficult form - is because it's so seldom true now that you hear people speak under circumstances where they assume they are obliged to speak seriously and in good…” quote by Marilynne Robinson
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“A sermon is a valuable thing now and so impressive when you do hear a good one - and there is a lot of failure in the attempt; it's a difficult form - is because it's so seldom true now that you hear people speak under circumstances where they assume they are obliged to speak seriously and in good faith, and the people who hear them are assumed to be listening seriously and in good faith.”

Marilynne Robinson

About This Quote

The speaker laments that sincere sermons are rare, as many speakers feel obliged to be serious, yet authenticity is lacking.

In simple terms: True, sermons are scarce because speakers often lack authenticity.

Key Takeaway

Seek genuine, heartfelt communication over performative speech.

Themes

authenticity speech faith communication

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • public speaking
  • religious gatherings
  • media interviews

Key Concepts

philosophy religion ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What makes a sermon feel genuine?
  • How can listeners discern sincerity?
A Different Perspective

Authenticity can be hard to achieve in pressured environments.

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