--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Excuse me, there's no pretense here. I…" description: "\"Excuse me, there's no pretense here. I happen to be genuinely self-absorbed and deeply shallow.\" — Stephen Schwartz" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/stephen-schwartz-3036_excuse_excuse-me-there-s-no-pretense-here-i-hap_433637.jpg" --- # Excuse me, there's no pretense here. I happen to be… ![“Excuse me, there's no pretense here. I happen to be genuinely self-absorbed and deeply shallow.” quote by Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/stephen-schwartz-3036_excuse_excuse-me-there-s-no-pretense-here-i-hap_433637.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/stephen-schwartz-3036_excuse_excuse-me-there-s-no-pretense-here-i-hap_433637.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/stephen-schwartz-3036_excuse_excuse-me-there-s-no-pretense-here-i-hap_433637.jpg) > “Excuse me, there's no pretense here. I happen to be genuinely self-absorbed and deeply shallow.” [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker admits to being self‑absorbed and shallow, highlighting honest self‑awareness. **In simple terms:** Self‑aware but shallow. Key Takeaway Recognize and address superficiality. Themes self‑awareness humor honesty Mood playful introspective Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - social gatherings - personal reflection - team meetings Key Concepts ego shallow behavior Questions to Reflect On - Why embrace honesty about shallow traits? - How does humor affect self‑perception? A Different Perspective Self‑absorption can hinder deep connections. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Pretense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretense/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self absorbed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-absorbed/) ## Related quotes > [No, you're wrong. I'm a hundred percent callow and deeply shallow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/no-you-re-wrong-i-m-a-hundred-percent-callow-and-deeply-shallow/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [Apart from anything else, in the most genuinely self-deprecating way, I find it very hard to watch myself on screen, whatever you might think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulrika-jonsson/apart-from-anything-else-in-the-most-genuinely-self-deprecating-way-i/) [Ulrika Jonsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulrika-jonsson/) > [It sounds deeply shallow, but for brief spells every member of the public can be fascinating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/it-sounds-deeply-shallow-but-for-brief-spells-every-member-of-the/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [Our "society" is not a community, but merely a collection of isolated family units. Desperately insecure, fearing his woman will leave him if she's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-solanas/our-society-is-not-a-community-but-merely-a-collection-of-isolated/) [Valerie Solanas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-solanas/) > [I am apparently gentle, unstable, and full of pretenses. I will die a poet killed by the nonpoets, will renounce no dream, resign myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-am-apparently-gentle-unstable-and-full-of-pretenses-i-will-die-a/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [I'm always made a little uncomfortable by studies that assert that Millennials are the most narcissistic generation in history. To me, being young has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-marantz-henig/i-m-always-made-a-little-uncomfortable-by-studies-that-assert-that/) [Robin Marantz Henig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-marantz-henig/) > [People think pageant girls are snotty, cutthroat, self-absorbed. Everybody that I meet in the industry is so kind, giving, and they are some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/people-think-pageant-girls-are-snotty-cutthroat-self-absorbed/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [“The point is not that my life is one long golden summer which I am simply too self-absorbed to appreciate (although it might be,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/the-point-is-not-that-my-life-is-one-long-golden-summer-which-i-am/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [Before I had my babies, I would tend to be self-absorbed, and worry about little things, but now I am a changed person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farah-khan/before-i-had-my-babies-i-would-tend-to-be-self-absorbed-and-worry/) [Farah Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farah-khan/) > [My iPhone suggests GPS when I'm trying to write GOD. I think we are finally synced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-iphone-suggests-gps-when-i-m-trying-to-write-god-i-think-we-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [American's could be any more self absorbed if they were made of equal parts water and paper towel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-miller/american-s-could-be-any-more-self-absorbed-if-they-were-made-of-equal/) [Dennis Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-miller/) > [Jodi Melnick is hotly self-absorbed. Her onstage musicians are much too loud, and like so many narcissistic performers, she goes on much too long:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-gottlieb/jodi-melnick-is-hotly-self-absorbed-her-onstage-musicians-are-much/) [Robert Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-gottlieb/) > [Now, do I think the baby boomers tend to be self-absorbed? I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/now-do-i-think-the-baby-boomers-tend-to-be-self-absorbed-i-do/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [The media tries to destroy Republicans who make little faux pas and they start telling everybody how dumb and stupid or uncaring they are.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/the-media-tries-to-destroy-republicans-who-make-little-faux-pas-and/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [“You can be bit in the leg by a rattlesnake and seek help to heal your wound, or you can run after it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/you-can-be-bit-in-the-leg-by-a-rattlesnake-and-seek-help-to-heal-your/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) ## More by Stephen Schwartz > [Bringing your show to Broadway is an economic decision on the part of producers and investors that may or may not happen, but sharing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/bringing-your-show-to-broadway-is-an-economic-decision-on-the-part-of/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [You wouldn't walk into a music store and walk out with a piece of music under your arm. So why would it be acceptable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/you-wouldn-t-walk-into-a-music-store-and-walk-out-with-a-piece-of/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [There have always been discussions about a 'Pippin' movie. I think it would lend itself very well to film if one could solve how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/there-have-always-been-discussions-about-a-pippin-movie-i-think-it/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [When I was in high school, I worked at a theatre on Long Island, where I grew up, in the box office and parking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/when-i-was-in-high-school-i-worked-at-a-theatre-on-long-island-where/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [When I perform I try and focus on the lyrics and my interpretation of the lyrics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/when-i-perform-i-try-and-focus-on-the-lyrics-and-my-interpretation-of/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [I think it would be really cool to see 'Enchanted' on Broadway - there's been discussion of it from time to time. You'd have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/i-think-it-would-be-really-cool-to-see-enchanted-on-broadway-there-s/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [I was very happy in Hollywood. I was doing extremely well there and things were good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/i-was-very-happy-in-hollywood-i-was-doing-extremely-well-there-and/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [That was what I always wanted to do for my whole life, to write music in the service of telling stories and communicating ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/that-was-what-i-always-wanted-to-do-for-my-whole-life-to-write-music/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [I had always been interested in opera, going back to my college days at Carnegie Mellon. In my last year there, I even wrote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/i-had-always-been-interested-in-opera-going-back-to-my-college-days/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [With Bernstein, because we wound up always working music first, it was where I really feel I learned how to write lyrics as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/with-bernstein-because-we-wound-up-always-working-music-first-it-was/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [In 'Wicked,' we developed the concept that Glinda has a public persona who sings in soprano and a private persona who is, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/in-wicked-we-developed-the-concept-that-glinda-has-a-public-persona/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [Alan Menken is so gifted in terms of coming up with these great melodies. What I learned from working with him was how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/alan-menken-is-so-gifted-in-terms-of-coming-up-with-these-great/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [I like works about familiar stories, where one spins the point of view and looks at it from another angle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/i-like-works-about-familiar-stories-where-one-spins-the-point-of-view/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [Dancers are the unsung heroes Broadway musicals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/dancers-are-the-unsung-heroes-broadway-musicals/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) > [“ELPHABA Hands touch, eyes meet Sudden silence, sudden heat Hearts leap in a giddy whirl He could be that boy But I'm not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-schwartz/elphaba-hands-touch-eyes-meet-sudden-silence-sudden-heat-hearts-leap/) [Stephen Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) [Explore all 141 Stephen Schwartz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-schwartz/) ## More Excuse quotes > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [My non-career. My excuse for a career? Honestly, I never think about the word 'career.' I've had managers, the minute they say it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-verlaine/my-non-career-my-excuse-for-a-career-honestly-i-never-think-about-the/) [Tom Verlaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-verlaine/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [International friendly games are not worth the lives of the silk worms who perish to make the pennants. They do not even have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-baker/international-friendly-games-are-not-worth-the-lives-of-the-silk/) [Danny Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-baker/) > [Win without boasting. Lose without excuse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-payson-terhune/win-without-boasting-lose-without-excuse/) [Albert Payson Terhune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-payson-terhune/) > [And the commitment that I've been giving to the Australian people is that there'll be no surprises and no excuses under a Coalition government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-abbott/and-the-commitment-that-i-ve-been-giving-to-the-australian-people-is/) [Tony Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-abbott/) > [Dont leave without a reason, and then try to come back with an excuse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-leave-without-a-reason-and-then-try-to-come-back-with-an-excuse/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Using, as an excuse, others' failure of common sense is in itself a failure of common sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/using-as-an-excuse-others-failure-of-common-sense-is-in-itself-a/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [I resolutely believe that respect for diversity is a fundamental pillar in the eradication of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. There is no excuse for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rigoberta-menchu/i-resolutely-believe-that-respect-for-diversity-is-a-fundamental/) [Rigoberta Menchu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rigoberta-menchu/) > [I'm not the guy who will sit in a room with somebody who's using a bunch of big words and just act like I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wahlberg/i-m-not-the-guy-who-will-sit-in-a-room-with-somebody-who-s-using-a/) [Mark Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-wahlberg/) > [Worst Break Up Excuse; 'You deserve so much better.' Translation: They've already moved on whether you like it or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/worst-break-up-excuse-you-deserve-so-much-better-translation-they-ve/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A lie is an excuse guarded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-lie-is-an-excuse-guarded/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Live with No Excuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gyanendra/live-with-no-excuse/) [Gyanendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gyanendra/) Browse all 2,435 Excuse quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Excuse me, there's no pretense here. 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