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People see in stories what they’re looking for, my young friend.
Brandon Sanderson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Stories reflect our desires and perspectives, revealing our inner thoughts.

In this quote, Brandon Sanderson suggests that individuals interpret and find meaning in stories based on their own experiences, desires, and expectations. This implies that storytelling is a deeply personal and subjective experience, where the reader or viewer projects their own understanding and emotions onto the narrative, which can vary significantly from person to person.

Themes

StoriesPerspectiveInterpretationMeaningExperience

In practice

Example use cases

During a book club discussion about personal interpretations of themes.

More from Brandon Sanderson

It sounds to me, young one," Haddek said, "that you are searching for something that cannot be found." "The truth?" Sazed said. "No," Haddek replied. "A religion that requires no faith of its believers.
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Being in charge isn't always about telling people what to do. Sometimes, it's about knowing when to step out of the way of people who know what they're doing. - Tam al'Thor
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God is the creator of all things, right? He is the force that dictates the laws of the universe, and is therefore the ultimate source of ethics. He is absolute morality... We claim to be doing good. But the Lord Ruler - as God - defines what is good. So by opposing him we're actually evil. But since he's doing the wrong thing, does evil actually count as good in this case?
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There has to be a balance, Vin," Elend said. "Somehow, we'll find it. The balance between whom we wish to be and whom we need to be." He sighed. "But for now," he said, nodding to the side, "we simply have to be satisfied with who we are.
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At first glance, the key and the lock it fits may seem very different," Sazed said. "Different in shape, different in function, different in design. The man who looks at them without knowledge of their true nature might think them opposites, for one is meant to open, and the other to keep closed. Yet, upon closer examination he might see that without one, the other becomes useless. The wise man then sees that both lock and key were created for the same purpose.
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Every action we take has consequences, Vin," Kelsier said. "I've found that in both Allomancy and life, the person who can best judge the consequences of their actions will be the most successful.
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Quote by Brandon Sanderson | QuoteProject