This week, I feel like a little girl at Christmas, anticipating opening the gift I have been waiting for. Susan Cain's book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, comes out January 24. I have already ordered a hard copy and will also be downloading a copy onto my Kindle.
I first became acquainted with Susan through another shyness blog, and I loved her website. I have read her work in the New York Times and in Oprah's magazine. Susan articulates exceptionally well the importance of introverts and shy people. Her book will contribute greatly to the discussion of how our society loses out by marginalizing quiet people. She argues poignantly that introverts can be powerful leaders with great ideas.
In honor of the launch of her book, I have compiled a list of famous quotes that point to the power of quiet:
"Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action." -Peter Drucker
"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind." -Albert Einstein
"Silence is a source of great strength." -Lao Tzu
"In quiet places, reason abounds." -Adlai E. Stevenson
"Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others." -Marian Wright Edelman
"Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man." -Iain Duncan Smith
"All men's miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone" -Blaise Pascal
"There are times when silence has the loudest voice." -Leroy Brownlow
"In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone." -Rollo May