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People are always trying to be on top. And not always with a macabre agenda, but I think that people are desperately trying to remain in control, rather than being honest.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on people's desire for control and the challenges of authenticity.

In this quote, Phoebe Waller-Bridge examines the human tendency to seek power and control over our circumstances. She suggests that this pursuit often comes at the expense of honesty, as individuals may prioritize maintaining their position instead of embracing vulnerability and truthfulness. The underlying message prompts reflection on the nature of ambition and the importance of authenticity in our interactions.

Themes

ControlHonestyAuthenticityPowerHuman Nature

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about business ethics, this quote could highlight the importance of honesty in leadership.

More from Phoebe Waller-Bridge

As women, we get the message about how to be a good girl - how to be a good, pretty girl - from such an early age. Then, at the same time, we're told that well-behaved girls won't change the world or ever make a splash.
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You don't often see a cross section of female characters interacting with each other at the top of a chain.
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I think, a lot of time, I'm just writing my worst fears, of the idea of losing my mom or my best friend or doing something so terrible to somebody that's kind of deemed unforgivable or having a really broken family.
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You're allowed to bore your friends and family, but to bore your audience is unforgivable.
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If you hear somebody say something absolutely horrendous about their own life, in quite a flippant, offbeat kind of way, when you meet people clearly trying to be strong and brave, the ones who are really good at it are the ones who break my heart the most.
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When an audience is laughing with a character, they make themselves so vulnerable, and they open up. They expose their heart the moment they're laughing, because they're relaxed and they're disarmed.
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