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 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.
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
All quotes →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
We are much beholden to Machiavel and others, that write what men do, and not what they ought to do.
Francis BaconRead
Capitalism was the only system in history where wealth was not acquired by looting, but by production, not by force, but by trade, the only system that stood for man's right to his own mind, to his work, to his life, to his happiness, to himself.
Ayn RandRead
Hatred is an affair of the heart; contempt that of the head.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter.
Norman CousinsRead
Awareness isn’t something we own; awareness isn’t something we possess. Awareness is actually what we are.
AdyashantiRead
The only thing wrong with Christianity is the lack of suffering.
Winston ChurchillRead