Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
John SteinbeckRead
People like you to be something, preferably what they are.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often prefer others to conform to their own beliefs and identities.
In this quote, John Steinbeck highlights the tendency of individuals to seek validation and comfort in those who reflect their own values and beliefs. It underscores the notion that personal biases often shape expectations of others, leading to social pressures to conform rather than embracing individuality and diversity.
Themes
ConformityIdentityRelationshipsExpectationsSocial Pressure
In practice
Example use cases
During a team-building workshop, one might say this quote to emphasize the need for authenticity in the group's dynamics.
More from John Steinbeck
All quotes βAt one point, as Samuel urges Adam to raise his boys well regardless of the blood that might be in them, Adam tells him, "You can't make a race horse of a pig." Samuel replies, "No, but you can make a very fast pig.
John SteinbeckRead
And when that crop grew, and was harvested, no man had crumbled a hot clod in his fingers and let the earth sift past his fingertips. No man had touched the seed, or lusted for the growth. Men ate what they had not raised, had no connection with the bread. The land bore under iron, and under iron gradually died; for it was not loved or hated, it had no prayers or curses.
John SteinbeckRead
The comfortable people in tight houses felt pity at first, and then distaste, and finally hatred for the migrant people.
John SteinbeckRead
People do not want advice - they want corroboration.
John SteinbeckRead
It is one of the triumphs of the human that he can know a thing and still not believe it.
John SteinbeckRead
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