Susan Cain

"you once said to would like to sit beside me while I write. Listen in that case I could not write at all. For writing means revealing one self to excess; that utmost of self-revelation and surrender, in which a human being, when involved with others, would feel he was losing himself, and from which, therefore, he will always shrink as long as he is in his right mind...That is why one can never be alone enough when one writes, why there can never be enough silence around one when one writes, why even night is not night enough."

3 likes

Source: Susan Cain (2012). “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking”, p.6, Broadway Books

About the author

Susan Cain

Susan Cain

Author, Speaker

Susan Cain is an author and speaker known for her influential work on introversion, particularly through her bestselling book, 'Quiet'.

All quotes by Susan Cain →

Same author

More quotes by Susan Cain

See all →
Susan Cain Author, Speaker

"Solitude is out of fashion. Our companies, our schools and our culture are in thrall to an idea I call the New Groupthink, which holds that creativity and achievement come from an oddly gregarious place."

Read quote
Susan Cain Author, Speaker

"In our society, the ideal self is bold, gregarious, and comfortable in the spotlight. We like to think that we value individuality, but mostly we admire the type of individual who’s comfortable "putting himself out there.""

Read quote
Susan Cain Author, Speaker

"Introverts, in contrast, may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family. They listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation. They tend to dislike conflict. Many have a horror of small talk, but enjoy deep discussions."

Read quote
Susan Cain Author, Speaker

"What looks like multitasking is really switching back and forth between multiple tasks, which reduces productivity and increases mistakes by up to 50 percent."

Read quote