If you have the guts to be yourself, other people'll pay your price.
John UpdikeRead
If she’d been born at the right time they would have burned her over in Salem.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the theme of societal judgment and the consequences of being different or ahead of one's time.
John Updike's quote highlights the historical context of societal intolerance towards individuals who challenge norms or display unique qualities. By referencing the witch trials in Salem, he suggests that individuals who innovate or think differently can face severe backlash in any era, underscoring the continuous struggle for acceptance and understanding across time.
Themes
SocietyJudgmentIntoleranceInnovationHistory
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on social justice, one might use this quote to discuss societal norms and the consequences of ostracizing those who are different.
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Museums and bookstores should feel, I think, like vacant lots - places where the demands on us are our own demands, where the spirit can find exercise in unsupervised play.
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But it is just two lovers, holding hands and in a hurry to reach their car, their locked hands a starfish leaping through the dark.
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The reader knows the writer better than he knows himself; but the writer's physical presence is light from a star that has moved on.
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To guarantee the individual maximum freedom within a social frame of minimal laws ensures - if not happiness - its hopeful pursuit.
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