--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The value of a story isn't that it just…" description: "\"The value of a story isn't that it just has a narcotic effect. It's that it awakens something in you that makes you want to think, that makes you talk ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff9/will-smith-1021_effects_the-value-of-a-story-isn-t-that-it-just_1873180.jpg" --- # The value of a story isn't that it just has a narcotic… ![“The value of a story isn't that it just has a narcotic effect. It's that it awakens something in you that makes you want to think, that makes you talk to other people, that stirs something that makes you examine the story that eventually turns into self-examination.” quote by Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff9/will-smith-1021_effects_the-value-of-a-story-isn-t-that-it-just_1873180.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff9/will-smith-1021_effects_the-value-of-a-story-isn-t-that-it-just_1873180.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff9/will-smith-1021_effects_the-value-of-a-story-isn-t-that-it-just_1873180.jpg) > “The value of a story isn't that it just has a narcotic effect. It's that it awakens something in you that makes you want to think, that makes you talk to other people, that stirs something that makes you examine the story that eventually turns into self-examination.” [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stories have power beyond entertainment; they spark reflection, discussion, and personal insight **In simple terms:** Stories inspire thought and self‑examination Key Takeaway Use stories to provoke deeper conversation Themes creativity reflection communication Mood thoughtful inspired Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - book clubs - team meetings - therapy sessions - public speaking Key Concepts Narrative therapy social influence Questions to Reflect On - What personal insight did a story give you? - How can you share that insight with others? A Different Perspective Stories may be misinterpreted without guidance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Narcotics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narcotics/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self examination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-examination/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [You can't always see both sides of the story. Eventually, you have to pick a side and stick with it. No more equivocating. 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That's part of the fare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/films-don-t-always-tell-a-story-some-films-can-achieve-effect-just-by/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [Begin to look at maps with the narcotic tingle of possibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-potts/begin-to-look-at-maps-with-the-narcotic-tingle-of-possibility/) [Rolf Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-potts/) > [It really puzzles me to see marijuana connected with narcotics . . . dope and all that crap. It's a thousand times better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/it-really-puzzles-me-to-see-marijuana-connected-with-narcotics-dope/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [Work is the best of narcotics, providing the patient be strong enough to take it. I dread idleness as if it were Hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/work-is-the-best-of-narcotics-providing-the-patient-be-strong-enough/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of the most popular narcotics to ease the pain of economy is cherishing the belief that better days are ahead. This is both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-hillis/one-of-the-most-popular-narcotics-to-ease-the-pain-of-economy-is/) [Marjorie Hillis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-hillis/) > [I've been using narcotics for 20 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-lugosi/i-ve-been-using-narcotics-for-20-years/) [Bela Lugosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-lugosi/) > [“My abandoned narcotics have abandoned me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/my-abandoned-narcotics-have-abandoned-me/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-j-anslinger/there-are-100-000-total-marijuana-smokers-in-the-us-and-most-are/) [Harry J. 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Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [With intellectuals, moral thought is often less a tonic that quickens ethical action than a narcotic that deadens it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-kronenberger/with-intellectuals-moral-thought-is-often-less-a-tonic-that-quickens/) [Louis Kronenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-kronenberger/) > [But for the unquiet heart and brain A use in measured language lies; The sad mechanic exercise Like dull narcotics numbing pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/but-for-the-unquiet-heart-and-brain-a-use-in-measured-language-lies/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Believer's should never deal with doubts and fears because they are the devil's narcotics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-e-hagin/believer-s-should-never-deal-with-doubts-and-fears-because-they-are/) [Kenneth E. Hagin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-e-hagin/) ## More by Will Smith > [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/a-rapper-is-about-being-completely-true-to-yourself-being-an-actor-is/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [Goofy was the word that was used most often by my sisters because I've been this tall ever since I was 12 years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/goofy-was-the-word-that-was-used-most-often-by-my-sisters-because-i/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [Everybody need a partner to stand right by their side. Not only down for the good times. But also down through the bad times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/everybody-need-a-partner-to-stand-right-by-their-side-not-only-down/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [Thomas Jefferson was a real poet. He was slick with that 'pursuit' of happiness because the 'pursuit' puts it back on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/thomas-jefferson-was-a-real-poet-he-was-slick-with-that-pursuit-of/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I have fun. I enjoy my life. And I was hardwired for a deep connection between service, God, and happiness. You kind of need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/i-have-fun-i-enjoy-my-life-and-i-was-hardwired-for-a-deep-connection/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [Believing in yourself is the first step to accomplishing any goal. If you think you're going to fail, you probably will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/believing-in-yourself-is-the-first-step-to-accomplishing-any-goal-if/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [ You might be \[outshining me in many ways\]. But if we get on a treadmill, there are two things: you're getting off first or… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/you-might-be-outshining-me-in-many-ways-but-if-we-get-on-a-treadmill/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [Black people playing tennis, next white people will be tap dancing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/black-people-playing-tennis-next-white-people-will-be-tap-dancing/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [Anything can go away. There's no such thing as safety and security. 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