Distrust Quote by Randall Jarrell
“We always tend to distrust geniuses about genius, as if what they say didn't arouse much empathy in us, or as if we were waiting till some more reliable source of information came along...”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 1960s, null
People often doubt experts, assuming their words lack emotional resonance or credibility until another source appears.
In simple terms: We distrust experts, seeking more reliable voices.
Key Takeaway
Question empathy before dismissing expertise.
Themes
trust
expertise
empathy
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- media consumption
- academic discourse
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
communication
authority
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we seek validation from multiple sources?
- How can we balance skepticism with openness?
A Different Perspective
Even experts can be misunderstood or misrepresented.
![“Early in his life Mr. [Ezra] Pound met with strong, continued, and unintelligent opposition. If people keep opposing you when you are right, you think them fools; and after a time, right or wrong, you think them fools simply because they oppose you. Similarly, you write true things or good things…” quote by Randall Jarrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a7/randall-jarrell-3811_ends_early-in-his-life-mr-ezra-pound-met-with_359433.jpg)
