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I was quite surprised to find out all the places that he knew And so I asked the townfolk if his stories were true They said- Old John was born here, he's lived here all his life He's never had a woman, let alone a wife. And very soon you'll find out as you check around That no one named Corey's ever lived in this town So I chided the old man 'bout the truth that I had heard He smiled and said- Reality is only just a word.

Harry Chapin#28

RealityStoryTruthPerceptionPerspective

About this quote

What does it mean?
Stories may not match reality but truth is subjective.
In plain terms
Facts matter less than what people believe.
What can you take from it?
Reality depends on perspective.

Where it applies

  • storytelling
  • dispute
  • folklore

Putting it to work

  • question facts
  • respect stories

Questions to consider

  • Is reality just a story?
  • Who decides what is true?

Another view

This ignores objective truth.

More from Harry Chapin

  1. I found you a thousand times; I guess you done the same; But then we lose each other; It's like a children's game; As I find you here again; A thought runs thr…

    Permalink to quote #27
  2. They put the cold dirt over him and left me on my own And when at last I looked up I saw I was not alone So I said- If you're a relative, he had a peaceful end…

    Permalink to quote #29
  3. No straight lines make up my life; And all my roads have bends; There's no clear-cut beginnings; And so far no dead-ends.

    Permalink to quote #26

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