Better way Quote by William Deresiewicz
“There's no doubt about it: fun people are fun. But I finally learned that there is something more important, in the people you know, than whether they are fun. Thinking about those friends who had given me so much pleasure but who had also caused me so much pain, thinking about that bright, cruel world to which they'd introduced me, I saw that there's a better way to value people. Not as fun or not fun, or stylish or not stylish, but as warm or cold, generous or selfish. People who think about others and people who don't. People who know how to listen, and people who only know how to talk.”
About This Quote
People should be valued by their character—warmth, generosity, listening—rather than superficial traits like fun or style.
In simple terms: Value character over surface traits.
Key Takeaway
Judge others by kindness and generosity.
Themes
character
friendship
values
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
relationship
When to use this quote
- friend selection
- personal relationships
- community building
Key Concepts
ethics
social judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- What qualities matter most in your friendships?
- How do you balance fun and depth?
A Different Perspective
Superficial traits can still matter in some contexts.
![“[Jane] Austen was not a novelist for nothing: she knew that our stories are what make us human, and that listening to someone else's stories -- entering into their feelings, validating their experiences -- is the highest way of acknowledging their humanity, the sweetest form of usefulness.” quote by William Deresiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2bb/william-deresiewicz-15471_austen_jane-austen-was-not-a-novelist-for-nothi_62623.jpg)
