--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People look at the same passage, and one…" description: "\"People look at the same passage, and one person will say this is the best thing he's ever read, and another person will say it's absolutely idiotic. I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/paul-auster-351_absolutely_people-look-at-the-same-passage-and-one_45983.jpg" --- # People look at the same passage, and one person will say… ![“People look at the same passage, and one person will say this is the best thing he's ever read, and another person will say it's absolutely idiotic. I mean, there's no way to reconcile those two things. You just have to forget the whole business of what people are saying.” quote by Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/paul-auster-351_absolutely_people-look-at-the-same-passage-and-one_45983.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/paul-auster-351_absolutely_people-look-at-the-same-passage-and-one_45983.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c6/paul-auster-351_absolutely_people-look-at-the-same-passage-and-one_45983.jpg) > “People look at the same passage, and one person will say this is the best thing he's ever read, and another person will say it's absolutely idiotic. I mean, there's no way to reconcile those two things. You just have to forget the whole business of what people are saying.” [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Interpretations of the same text can be wildly divergent; the quote suggests abandoning the need for consensus and trusting personal response. **In simple terms:** People react differently; ignore others' judgments. Key Takeaway Subjectivity outweighs objective truth in art. Themes subjectivity interpretation artistic taste personal autonomy Mood contemplative defiant Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - reading a novel - watching a film - listening to music - evaluating a painting Key Concepts relativism aesthetic judgment Practical Applications - focus on personal resonance - avoid seeking universal approval Questions to Reflect On - How does personal bias shape your experience of art? - When is external feedback valuable? A Different Perspective Dismissal of critique can hinder growth and blind spots. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [I'd go nuts. Because people look at the same passage and one person will say this is the best thing he's ever read, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/i-d-go-nuts-because-people-look-at-the-same-passage-and-one-person/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [You can always read a person by what comes out his mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-wave/you-can-always-read-a-person-by-what-comes-out-his-mouth/) [Rod Wave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-wave/) > [“The only way you can write the truth is to assume that what you set down will never be read. 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