Belief Quote by Michael Paterniti
““In the end, it wasn't so much that there was an alternative narrative--there always was--but it came down to belief: Which one did you want to believe. Which one suited you best? Or, perhaps more to the point: Which one told the story you were already telling yourself?””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “The Power of Narrative” by Michael Paterniti, 2015
We choose stories that fit our existing self‑image; belief shapes which narrative we accept.
In simple terms: We believe stories that match our self‑view.
Key Takeaway
Examine the narratives you accept.
Themes
belief
identity
storytelling
psychology
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal decision‑making
- media consumption
- therapy
- leadership
- marketing
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
self‑fulfilling prophecy
narrative identity
Questions to Reflect On
- Which narrative are you choosing to support your identity?
- How might a different story change your actions?
A Different Perspective
Belief can blind us to alternative perspectives.
![“Mark, she now could see, was destined for a life of absolute logic [...], while she, the Etch a Sketcher, thought herself destined for a life of squiggly lines.” quote by Michael Paterniti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6bc/michael-paterniti-30115_life_mark-she-now-could-see-was-destined-for_1315862.jpg)
