All alone Quote by Terry Pratchett
“The stories never said why she was wicked. It was enough to be an old woman, enough to be all alone, enough to look strange because you have no teeth. It was enough to be called a witch. If it came to that, the book never gave you the evidence of anything. It talked about "a handsome prince"... was he really, or was it just because he was a prince that people called handsome? As for "a girl who was as beautiful as the day was long"... well, which day? In midwinter it hardly ever got light! The stories don't want you to think, they just wanted you to believe what you were told...”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Discworld series, various books, 1990s
The narrative shows how societal labels and myths shape identity, often without evidence, and how stories enforce conformity.
In simple terms: Stories label people, shaping identity without proof.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions and seek evidence.
Themes
identity
storytelling
conformity
stereotypes
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- examining prejudice
- teaching critical thinking
- analyzing folklore
- challenging stereotypes
Key Concepts
social labeling
mythmaking
power of narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- What labels have you accepted without evidence?
- How do stories influence your self‑view?
A Different Perspective
Stories may oversimplify complex lives, ignoring nuance.
![“In her dance, she controlled the bright paper birds with invisible wires and threads. She played the human: heavy, tied to earth. Her dances weren't pretty or delightful, but they were magical, [...] They called her a dancer and a puppeteer and an artist. They might have called her a witch, and…” quote by Katherine Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/74d/katherine-catmull-33506_artist_in-her-dance-she-controlled-the-bright-p_1312701.jpg)
![“Seven hundred years ago, Tersa had told [Daemon] the living myth was coming. Seven hundred years of waiting, watching, searching, hoping. Seven hundred heartbreaking, exhausting years. He refused to give up, refused to wonder if she’d been mistaken, refused because his heart yearned too much for…” quote by Anne Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7e0/anne-bishop-2536_life_seven-hundred-years-ago-tersa-had-told-d_431101.jpg)
