I want to do what I can lend my talents to, but I want it to be as a human being and not as a two-dimensional character.
Gene WilderRead
I said something really stupid once. I told a friend that my mother was so beautiful, but my dad was ugly. My dad heard it and just laughed it off, but I felt guilty. It haunted me for years. I should never have said that.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the impact of words on relationships and the guilt that can arise from unintentional hurtful remarks.
Gene Wilder shares a personal anecdote highlighting how a seemingly innocent comment can have lasting repercussions in relationships. Despite a lighthearted response from his father, the guilt of having made an unkind remark about his appearance haunted Wilder, underscoring the importance of being mindful of our words and the sensitive nature of familial relationships.
Themes
WordsRelationshipsGuiltCommunicationFamily
In practice
Example use cases
During a family gathering to emphasize the importance of thoughtfulness in our speech.
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If my mother hadn't laughed at the funny things I did, I probably wouldn't be a comic actor. After she had her first heart attack, the doctor said, 'Try to make her laugh.' And that was the first time I tried to make anyone laugh.
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