"As contagion of sickness makes sickness, contagion of trust can make trust"
About this Quote
Marianne Moore's quote, "As contagion of illness makes illness, contagion of trust can make trust", presents a compelling analogy in between physical contagion and the metaphorical spread of interpersonal qualities like trust. At its core, this declaration suggests that simply as illness spreads from individual to individual, forming neighborhoods through its concrete impacts, so too can trust propagate through social interactions, cultivating environments grounded in shared confidence and uniformity.
The example starts with the idea of illness, which can spread rapidly and affect big groups, highlighting the interconnectedness and vulnerability inherent in human neighborhoods. Illness relies on contact and direct exposure; similarly, emotions and mindsets are passed from person to individual. Just as someone's condition can affect another's health, a person's expression of trust or wonder about can ripple external, affecting the broader community environment.
Using this structure to trust, Moore recommends that trust is inherently social, needing a preliminary gesture of vulnerability or openness that invites reciprocation. When one specific reveals trust-- by collaborating honestly, sharing properly, or supporting others-- it sets a precedent that others might follow. This can start a positive feedback loop, where trust encourages more trust, ultimately leading to more powerful, more cohesive social bonds.
Moore's quote indicates that trust, like illness, requires mindful facilitation to spread. It hires people to acknowledge their function in either perpetuating mistrust or actively fostering an atmosphere of trust. This highlights the duty each member of a community carries to cultivate positivity and uniformity, suggesting that the preliminary act of trust is not merely individual but a common imperative that can significantly shape societal characteristics.
In essence, Moore's quote is an extensive commentary on the power of individual actions within collective contexts, stressing that while unfavorable characteristics (like illness) can quickly propagate, favorable traits (such as trust) also hold substantial power to change and uplift communities when consciously cultivated.
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