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 faith, and the people who hear them are assumed to be listening seriously and in good faith.”
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.
Seek genuine, heartfelt communication over performative speech.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- religious gatherings
- media interviews
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a sermon feel genuine?
- How can listeners discern sincerity?
Authenticity can be hard to achieve in pressured environments.