QuoteProject
The best reason for exposing oneself to foreign ways is to generate a sense of vitality and awareness - an interest in life which can come only when one lives through the shock of contrast and difference.
Edward T. Hall
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Experiencing different cultures enhances our vitality and awareness of life.

This quote by Edward T. Hall suggests that immersing oneself in diverse cultures and perspectives invigorates our existence and fosters a deeper appreciation for life. The 'shock of contrast and difference' provokes thought and curiosity, prompting us to reevaluate our experiences and beliefs, thereby enriching our understanding of the world.

Themes

CultureAwarenessVitalityExperienceDiversity

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about the importance of travel.

More from Edward T. Hall

Culture hides much more than it reveals, and strangely enough, what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants.
Edward T. HallRead
The information is in the people, not in your head.
Edward T. HallRead
Culture hides more than it reveals, and strangely enough what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants.
Edward T. HallRead

Similar quotes

On each race is laid the duty to keep alight its own lamp of mind as its part in the illumination of the world. To break the lamp of any people into deprive it of its rightful place in the world festival.
Rabindranath TagoreRead
We shall find that every effort to realize equality necessitates a sacrifice of liberty.
William Graham SumnerRead
That's one of the greatest curses ever inflicted on the human race, memory.
OvidRead
Our influences are who we are. It's rare that anything is an absolutely pure vision; even Daniel Johnston sounds like the Beatles. And that's the problem with the bands I'm always asked about, the ones derivative of the early Seattle sound. They don't dilute their influences enough.
Eddie VedderRead
For men in a state of freedom had thatch for their shelter, while slavery dwells beneath marble and gold.
Seneca The YoungerRead
There is a basin in the mind where words float around on thought and thought on sound and sight. Then there is a depth of thought untouched by words, and deeper still a gulf of formless feelings untouched by thought.
Zora Neale HurstonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.