--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People always want narratives to be clean…" description: "\"People always want narratives to be clean and easy.\" — W. Kamau Bell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e9/w-kamau-bell-3541_always_people-always-want-narratives-to-be-clea_1230596.jpg" --- # People always want narratives to be clean and easy. ![“People always want narratives to be clean and easy.” quote by W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e9/w-kamau-bell-3541_always_people-always-want-narratives-to-be-clea_1230596.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e9/w-kamau-bell-3541_always_people-always-want-narratives-to-be-clea_1230596.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e9/w-kamau-bell-3541_always_people-always-want-narratives-to-be-clea_1230596.jpg) > “People always want narratives to be clean and easy.” [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People prefer simple, tidy stories over messy reality. **In simple terms:** People like easy stories. Key Takeaway Seek complexity, not just simplicity. Themes storytelling truth complexity Mood reflective critical Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - media consumption - personal relationships - education - political discourse Key Concepts narrative bias cognitive ease Questions to Reflect On - How does simplifying a story affect its truth? - When is a clean narrative harmful? A Different Perspective Simplicity can hide important nuance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Narratives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narratives/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) ## Related quotes > [“I hate things and I do so because it is clean and easy and makes me feel better about myself without having to ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-richardson/i-hate-things-and-i-do-so-because-it-is-clean-and-easy-and-makes-me/) [Jon Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-richardson/) > [I have a few uniforms - depending on whether I'm going to a college campus or meeting a head of state. But clean and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/i-have-a-few-uniforms-depending-on-whether-i-m-going-to-a-college/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [Gradually it occurred to me that we spend a great deal of life asleep and that dreams are little narratives, little stories. I thought,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/gradually-it-occurred-to-me-that-we-spend-a-great-deal-of-life-asleep/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [Confronting and undermining the narratives and ideas of extremism must therefore be one of our key tasks. To do this, we must retain the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-gahr-store/confronting-and-undermining-the-narratives-and-ideas-of-extremism/) [Jonas Gahr Store](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-gahr-store/) > [“News organizations are coy about admitting that what they present us with each day are minuscule extracts of narratives whose true shape and logic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/news-organizations-are-coy-about-admitting-that-what-they-present-us/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [Throughout African-American literature, the writer has, in a sense, been burdened by the necessity of pleading the case for the whole race. For example,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-ligon/throughout-african-american-literature-the-writer-has-in-a-sense-been/) [Glenn Ligon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-ligon/) > [I was an English-literature major, and that's all about stories and narratives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-weisz/i-was-an-english-literature-major-and-that-s-all-about-stories-and/) [Rachel Weisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-weisz/) > [I think we all are born inside of our parents' narratives. We stay there for a good while. We are taught their narratives about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-febos/i-think-we-all-are-born-inside-of-our-parents-narratives-we-stay/) [Melissa Febos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-febos/) > [Narration is as much a part of human nature as breath and the circulation of the blood… storytelling is intrinsic to biological time, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-byatt-2/narration-is-as-much-a-part-of-human-nature-as-breath-and-the/) [A. S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-byatt-2/) > [We breathe, we think, we conceive of our lives as narratives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lehmann-haupt/we-breathe-we-think-we-conceive-of-our-lives-as-narratives/) [Christopher Lehmann-Haupt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lehmann-haupt/) > [The religious imagery and fairytales that formed our shared cultural references have been replaced by the cult of celebrity. Marilyn is the sex goddess,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-jackson/the-religious-imagery-and-fairytales-that-formed-our-shared-cultural/) [Alison Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-jackson/) > [“When she smiles, the lines in her face become epic narratives that trace the stories of generations that no book can replace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-tyrone-jones/when-she-smiles-the-lines-in-her-face-become-epic-narratives-that/) [Curtis Tyrone Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-tyrone-jones/) > [Narratives can be misconstrued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-poole/narratives-can-be-misconstrued/) [Jordan Poole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-poole/) > [“Our reflection of action occurs in different contexts which may influence us to shape our accounts in different ways for different audiences - our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqui-stedmon/our-reflection-of-action-occurs-in-different-contexts-which-may/) [Jacqui Stedmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqui-stedmon/) > [Extremist perspectives win sympathy and recruits because they offer narratives that claim to identify deep injustices and enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-gahr-store/extremist-perspectives-win-sympathy-and-recruits-because-they-offer/) [Jonas Gahr Store](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-gahr-store/) ## More by W. Kamau Bell > [As a black man, I actually had naturally sort of comedic curiosity about the Klan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/as-a-black-man-i-actually-had-naturally-sort-of-comedic-curiosity/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [The country should be more inclusive, not less inclusive, and over an infinite timeline, it becomes more inclusive. It doesn't always happen at once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/the-country-should-be-more-inclusive-not-less-inclusive-and-over-an/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [We could do something set in the 21st century, where I travel around to lots of different places and we talk to different ethnicities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/we-could-do-something-set-in-the-21st-century-where-i-travel-around/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [I feel like, as a black guy, I can't not believe in God... I'd wake up in the morning, 'I'm black, and there's no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/i-feel-like-as-a-black-guy-i-can-t-not-believe-in-god-i-d-wake-up-in/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [For some people, the definition of who is and who isn't an American defies logic, historical accuracy, common sense, decency, good manners, the milk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/for-some-people-the-definition-of-who-is-and-who-isn-t-an-american/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [I'm happy that I know how to speak 'Southern.' I spent a lot of time in Alabama throughout my life. I even lived there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/i-m-happy-that-i-know-how-to-speak-southern-i-spent-a-lot-of-time-in/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [The downside to defining everything Chinese as different than American is that all things Chinese then become exotic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/the-downside-to-defining-everything-chinese-as-different-than/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [Comedy can be very deep sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/comedy-can-be-very-deep-sometimes/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [I never wanted to be in the late-night talk show wars, and I think somehow with 'Totally Biased,' I got caught up in all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/i-never-wanted-to-be-in-the-late-night-talk-show-wars-and-i-think/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [There's no religion in this country that is more misunderstood, mis-categorized, and misidentified than Islam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/there-s-no-religion-in-this-country-that-is-more-misunderstood-mis/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [As a black person in this country, I am always frustrated by the lack of attention my people's issues get. But at least the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/as-a-black-person-in-this-country-i-am-always-frustrated-by-the-lack/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [I'm just another non-native whose mom told him we were part-Cherokee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/i-m-just-another-non-native-whose-mom-told-him-we-were-part-cherokee/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [Whenever I tell people in Berkeley, Calif., where I live, that I'm headed to the beach in Alabama, they are shocked. Most people outside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/whenever-i-tell-people-in-berkeley-calif-where-i-live-that-i-m-headed/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [Cops should not be separate from the black community or any community. Their salaries are paid for by the communities they police. They should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/cops-should-not-be-separate-from-the-black-community-or-any-community/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [In most major cities, you can find stores for urban homesteaders. They sell everything you need so that you won't need anything. Sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/in-most-major-cities-you-can-find-stores-for-urban-homesteaders-they/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) [Explore all 128 W. Kamau Bell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [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/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. 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