Member-only story
Why We Love Reading Quotes
A deep dive into the popularity of articles written about things other people said
I love a good quote. Everybody and their brother has written articles surrounding quotes, but I believe that is because . . . other people like them as well. Wise people say wise things and we love to read them. A good quote is interesting to readers because it does three different things. And, it often does these three things in one sentence.
First, quotes connect us as humans. If the likes of Maya Angelou and Deepak Chopra are experiencing the same things we are experiencing, it makes us feel a little less alone in the world. And, it helps us realize that the human condition is the same, no matter whether you’re Gandhi or Sally the struggling master’s student. Quotes are invisible ties that connect us to the fantastic humans that spoke (or wrote) them.
Second, most quotes offer thoughtful insight on our current situation . . . but I’m sure that quotes aren’t the only things that these famous folks uttered in their lifetimes. When we read quotes, we’re reading the best of the best. “Whatever you do, do it well.” — Walt Disney. “What we think, we become.” — Buddha. Now, that’s profound stuff, people!
However, I’m sure Buddha also said things like, “I’m hungry. Let’s eat.” And, at some…
