I collected pictures and I drew pictures and I looked at the pictures by myself. And because no one else ever saw them, the pictures were perfect and true. They were alive.
Helen OyeyemiRead
Once you let people know anything about what you think, that's it, you're dead. Then they'll be jumping about in your mind, taking things out, holding them up to the light and killing them, yes, killing them, because thoughts are supposed to stay and grow in quiet, dark places, like butterflies in cocoons.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Expressing your thoughts may lead to exposure and judgment from others.
This quote by Helen Oyeyemi highlights the vulnerability that comes with sharing one's thoughts and ideas with others. She uses the metaphor of butterflies in cocoons to illustrate how thoughts need a safe and private space to develop without external interference, suggesting that once exposed, they may be critiqued or diminished by the opinions of others, which can stifle creativity and authenticity.
Themes
ThoughtsVulnerabilityCreativityPrivacyExpression
In practice
Example use cases
In a workshop about self-expression, this quote can be used to encourage participants to cherish their private thoughts.
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