“We are often unable to tell people what they need to know because they want to know something else.”

—  George MacDonald , book Lilith

Source: Lilith (1895), Chapter 9

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "We are often unable to tell people what they need to know because they want to know something else." by George MacDonald?
George MacDonald photo
George MacDonald 127
Scottish journalist, novelist 1824–1905

Related quotes

Theodor W. Adorno photo

“People know what they want because they know what other people want.”

Theodor W. Adorno (1903–1969) German sociologist, philosopher and musicologist known for his critical theory of society
Walker Percy photo
Vincent Van Gogh photo

“People are often unable to do anything, imprisoned as they are in I don't know what kind of terrible, terrible, oh such terrible cage.
I do know that there is a release, the belated release.”

Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890) Dutch post-Impressionist painter (1853-1890)

1880s, 1880, Letter to Theo (Cuesmes, July 1880)
Context: People are often unable to do anything, imprisoned as they are in I don't know what kind of terrible, terrible, oh such terrible cage.
I do know that there is a release, the belated release. A justly or unjustly ruined reputation, poverty, disastrous circumstances, misfortune, they all turn you into a prisoner. You cannot always tell what keeps you confined, what immures you, what seems to bury you, and yet you can feel those elusive bars, railings, walls. Is all this illusion, imagination? I don't think so. And then one asks: My God! will it be for long, will it be for ever, will it be for eternity?

Ayuel Monykuch photo
Alastair Reynolds photo
James Patterson photo

“Because what’s worse than knowing you want something, besides knowing you can never have it?”

James Patterson (1947) American author

Source: The Angel Experiment

Aung San Suu Kyi photo

“Government leaders are amazing. So often it seems they are the last to know what the people want.”

Aung San Suu Kyi (1945) State Counsellor of Myanmar and Leader of the National League for Democracy
Mark Satin photo
Toni Morrison photo
Charles Bukowski photo

Related topics