We're told that to be great is to be bold, to be happy is to be sociable. We see ourselves as a nation of extroverts - which means that we've lost sight of who we really are. Depending on which study you consult, one third to one half of Americans are introverts - in other words, one out of every two or three people you know.
Silent people are dangerous; others are not so. [Fr., Les gens sans bruit sont dangereux; Il n'en est pas ainsi des autres.]
I get a lot of letters from introverts asking how they can meet people. The key is to make sure that you are doing things you enjoy.
Being introverted, it doesn't mean necessarily being shy or being afraid of public speaking; it just means that it's hard for me to interact with people for too long.
After an hour or two of being socially on, we introverts need to turn off and recharge ... This isn't antisocial. It isn't a sign of depression.
Don't think of introversion as something that needs to be cured.
Often confused with shyness, introversion does not imply social reticence or discomfort. Rather than being averse to social engagement, introverts become overwhelmed by too much of it, which explains why the introvert is ready to leave a party after an hour and the extravert gains steam as the night goes on.
Those who are quiet will always cause riots.
You know that book 'Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking', by Susan Cain? That's like my manifesto. The older I get, the more I think I could be a hermit.
I don't like applause, I must admit. Ultimately, artists are shy creatures; they're introverts.
At town meetings, you can see the shy folks, the ones who have trouble sounding off in public, leaning against the back wall or bending over their knitting. On talk radio, those people are invisible, but they're there. It's a mistake to think that the blowhards who call in speak for the nation.
It's amazing how many introverts go into the ministry. It's amazing how many people go into the ministry who don't really like to be with people.
Surprisingly, I think if you're known on the Internet, you're probably an introvert.
I don't like these cold, precise, perfect people, who, in order not to speak wrong, never speak at all, and in order not to do wrong, never do anything.
There are two kinds of authors - subjective and objective. Introverts are more inward looking.
Most people don't think of actors and people like us that are performers and out in the world as introverts, but I like to know I can trust someone first.
It's amazing how many introverts go into the ministry.
My husband and I get along great. We're both introverts, and it's hard to make new friends.
Introverts need to trust their gut and share their ideas as powerfully as they can.
I was an undergrad math major and a grad student in computer science. I'm hugely introverted, not atypical of math majors.
For those of us who aren't great with people, we figure that silence is always the safest bet. If you're an introvert, you spend so much of your time wishing that other people would just shut the hell up that you figure you're doing everyone a favor.
Our culture is biased against quiet and reserved people, but introverts are responsible for some of humanity's greatest achievements.
Introverts listen better, they assess risks more carefully, they can be wiser managers. It's not for nothing that the Silicon Valley billionaires are so often the retiring types.
Many people believe that introversion is about being antisocial, and that's really a misperception. Because actually it's just that introverts are differently social. So they would prefer to have a glass of wine with a close friend as opposed to going to a loud party full of strangers.
I'm very introverted, so it requires a huge effort for me to put on a smile and extend a hand and accept compliments. I would much rather be insulted than complimented any day.
