Common Quote by Terry Tempest Williams
“Storytelling awakens us to that which is real. Honest. . . . it transcends the individual. . . . Those things that are most personal are most general, and are, in turn, most trusted. Stories bind. . . . They are basic to who we are. A story composite personality which grows out of its community. It maintains a stability within that community, providing common knowledge as to how things are, how things should be -- knowledge based on experience. These stories become the conscience of the group. They belong to everyone.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Hour of Land, Terry Tempest Williams, 2015
Stories shape collective identity, linking personal experiences to shared cultural knowledge and trust.
In simple terms: Stories connect personal and communal truths.
Key Takeaway
Use stories to build community trust.
Themes
identity
culture
trust
community
storytelling
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- educational settings
- community meetings
- media productions
- rituals
Key Concepts
collective consciousness
social cohesion
narrative identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal narratives influence group values?
- What responsibilities come with shaping communal stories?
A Different Perspective
Stories can oversimplify complex histories.
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
