--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He had learned that it was the smallness…" description: "\"“He had learned that it was the smallness of people that filled him with wonder and tenderness, and the loneliness of that too. The world was made up o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b7/rachel-joyce-2226_life_he-had-learned-that-it-was-the-smallness_792708.jpg" --- # He had learned that it was the smallness of people that… ![“He had learned that it was the smallness of people that filled him with wonder and tenderness, and the loneliness of that too. The world was made up of people putting one foot in front of the other; and a life might appear ordinary simply because the person living it had been doing so for a long…” quote by Rachel Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b7/rachel-joyce-2226_life_he-had-learned-that-it-was-the-smallness_792708.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b7/rachel-joyce-2226_life_he-had-learned-that-it-was-the-smallness_792708.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b7/rachel-joyce-2226_life_he-had-learned-that-it-was-the-smallness_792708.jpg) > ““He had learned that it was the smallness of people that filled him with wonder and tenderness, and the loneliness of that too. The world was made up of people putting one foot in front of the other; and a life might appear ordinary simply because the person living it had been doing so for a long time. Harold could no longer pass a stranger without acknowledging the truth that everyone was the same, and also unique; and that this was the dilemma of being human.”” [Rachel Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-joyce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humanity is both ordinary and extraordinary; each person is simultaneously common and uniquely individual, creating a paradox of shared experience. **In simple terms:** Everyone is both typical and unique. Key Takeaway Recognize shared humanity while honoring individuality. Themes humanity identity paradox empathy Mood reflective empathetic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily interactions - teamwork - family gatherings - public speaking Key Concepts existentialism individuality social connection Questions to Reflect On - In what ways do you see yourself as both ordinary and unique? - How can we celebrate individuality without isolating others? A Different Perspective Focusing on sameness may overlook personal differences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dilemma Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dilemma-human-470865/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Loneliness World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loneliness-world-613825/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Smallness People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smallness-people-5658179/) [Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) [Tenderness Loneliness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tenderness-loneliness-6084757/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“He had learned that it was the smallness of people that filled him with wonder and tenderness, putting one foot in front of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-joyce/he-had-learned-that-it-was-the-smallness-of-people-that-filled-him/) [Rachel Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-joyce/) > [“The world was made up of people putting one foot in front of the other; and a life might appear ordinary simply because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-joyce/the-world-was-made-up-of-people-putting-one-foot-in-front-of-the-2/) [Rachel Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-joyce/) > [Harold could no longer pass a stranger without acknowledging the truth that everyone was the same, and also unique; and that this was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-joyce/harold-could-no-longer-pass-a-stranger-without-acknowledging-the/) [Rachel Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-joyce/) > [An actor feels the dilemma of being a human being and through his art tries to explain the condition of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cassidy/an-actor-feels-the-dilemma-of-being-a-human-being-and-through-his-art/) [Ted Cassidy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cassidy/) > [“awareness is the main dilemma of human existence. 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