Who said “It is the story-teller's task to elicit sympathy and a measure of understanding for…”?

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Graham Greene. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceSpeech on receiving the Shakespeare Prize awarded by the University of Hamburg, Germany (1969)

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“It is the story-teller's task to elicit sympathy and a measure of understanding for those who lie outside the boundaries of State approval.”
— Graham Greene
VerifiedSpeech on receiving the Shakespeare Prize awarded by the University of Hamburg, Germany (1969) · evidenceLiterature

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For academic work, cite the original where you can: Speech on receiving the Shakespeare Prize awarded by the University of Hamburg, Germany (1969).

APA

Greene, G. (n.d.). It is the story-teller's task to elicit sympathy and a measure of understanding for those who lie outside the boundaries of State approval. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/26941-it-is-the-story-tellers-task-to-elicit/

MLA

Greene, Graham. “It is the story-teller's task to elicit sympathy and a measure of understanding for those who lie outside the boundaries of State approval.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/26941-it-is-the-story-tellers-task-to-elicit/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Greene, Graham. “It is the story-teller's task to elicit sympathy and a measure of understanding for those who lie outside the boundaries of State approval.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/26941-it-is-the-story-tellers-task-to-elicit/.

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“It is impossible to go through life without trust: that is to be imprisoned in the worst cell of all, oneself.”
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“If you have abandoned one faith, do not abandon all faith. There is always an alternative to the faith we lose. Or is it the same faith under another mask?”
VerifiedThe Comedians (1966) · evidenceDetails & citeFaith
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