Distinction Quote by William P. Young
“I make a distinction between true and real. I think that the story is true, it’s just not real. That’s what a parable is. It takes things that we all know are real, and it takes life events that actually happens, and it weaves them into a fiction that allows truth to actually be embedded.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Shack, 2007
Distinguishes between factual truth and narrative truth, suggesting parables convey deeper truths through fictionalized events.
In simple terms: Stories can hold truth without being literal.
Key Takeaway
Use allegory to express complex ideas.
Themes
storytelling
philosophy
truth
literature
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- therapy
- public speaking
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
parabolic narrative
epistemology
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we discern symbolic truth?
- When does fiction become misleading?
A Different Perspective
Allegory may be misinterpreted as literal fact.
![“There is no story that is not true, [...] The world has no end, and what is good among one people is an abomination with others.” quote by Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1ab/chinua-achebe-781_abomination_there-is-no-story-that-is-not-true-the-w_613208.jpg)
![“I think it is important for all those young out there - who someday hope to play real football, where you throw it and kick it and run with it and put it in your hands - [that] a distinction should be made that football is democratic capitalism, whereas soccer is a European socialist sport.” quote by Jack Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a4e/jack-kemp-8099_capitalism_i-think-it-is-important-for-all-those-yo_19015.jpg)
