Why You Shouldn’t Add Anecdotes to Every Message

A universal truth doesn’t need an anecdote to stand on its own. In fact, sometimes tying it to a personal story can obscure its power. Universal truths resonate not because they are relatable but because they are self-evident. They’re embedded in the fabric of reality, accessible to anyone who takes the time to observe life with honesty and clarity.

This distinction matters. Anecdotes have their place, but understanding when they are necessary — and when they are not — is crucial. Here’s why:

Universal Truths Speak for Themselves

Universal truths don’t need personal stories to convince anyone of their validity. They’re inherently flexible and accessible, transcending time, culture, and personal experience. Once spoken, they invite people to find evidence in their own lives, not in yours.

For example, consider the idea that lying is wrong. You don’t need to hear a specific anecdote to know this — it’s a principle written into the moral compass of human nature. People feel internal dissonance when they lie, no matter their background or beliefs. Even creatures as small as ants seem to have an innate understanding of truth, punishing deception within their colonies. Truth, when told clearly, encourages people to seek evidence in their surroundings. It sparks a journey of reflection and discovery that strengthens their understanding of the principle itself.

When you add an anecdote, however, there’s a risk: the universal truth can become tethered to your specific experience. Instead of sparking reflection, it may prompt comparison. “That was true for them, but is it true for me?” The anecdote can unintentionally limit the reach of the truth, framing it as subjective rather than universal.

The Flexibility of Truth

One of the most powerful aspects of universal truths is their flexibility. A single truth can be applied in countless ways across different contexts and for different purposes. This adaptability is why universal truths form the foundation of human progress.

Take the law of gravity. It’s not tied to one story or one person’s experience. It simply exists. Its universality allows architects to build bridges, pilots to design flight paths, and children to understand why their ball falls to the ground. Similarly, moral truths like kindness or honesty can be applied in endless ways, shaping relationships, communities, and societies.

Subjective truths, by contrast, lack this flexibility. They depend on context, culture, and perspective. Five people might interpret a subjective truth in five completely different ways, and it may not apply to all their lives equally. This limitation is why subjective truths often require personal anecdotes — they need the extra context to make sense.

Anecdotes Are Not Universal Proof

Another reason to avoid unnecessary anecdotes is that they can undermine the universality of your message. Universal truths are seamless and self-evident, making them easy to verify. They resonate because they align with reality, not because they happened to you.

History shows us this clearly. Technological and social advancements across the globe didn’t depend on anecdotes. Universal truths like logic, observation, and experimentation enabled progress. Whether it was an ancient civilization designing an aqueduct or a modern engineer building a skyscraper, the foundation was the same. The truth didn’t need a story — it only needed to be understood.

When Anecdotes Work

Of course, there are times when anecdotes are valuable. Personal stories can illustrate how a truth plays out in specific situations, helping people decipher its relevance or application to their own lives. This is especially helpful when the audience is in distress and looking for immediate guidance. In those moments, they may seek not just the truth but also reassurance that someone else has walked the path before them.

In my upcoming book, I share personal stories to show how I’ve navigated challenges and lessons. The goal is to provide a roadmap — not because my experience is the only way, but because it helps readers see one approach to how the universal truths I share can guide them through the most difficult circumstances. Teaching life lessons with only theory can be helpful, but when someone is in the trenches, they often need a practical example to figure out how to apply those theories. Specific stories give them a starting point for trial and error, allowing them to shape their own path in a way that fits their unique experiences. However, these anecdotes are only tools — not the truth itself.

The only other time an anecdote enhances a universal truth is when the truth itself is so glaringly obvious that it’s nearly impossible to find someone who doesn’t already know it. In these cases, the anecdote doesn’t serve to validate the truth but rather adds depth, relatability, or a fresh perspective to something everyone already accepts as a given.

For instance, everyone agrees that kindness is a virtue. Adding an anecdote, such as how a small act of kindness from a stranger brightened someone’s day, doesn’t validate kindness itself — it’s already universally known as good. Instead, the anecdote reminds us of the profound, relatable impact kindness can have in everyday life.

Unnecessary anecdotes can dilute the power of universal truths by making them seem subjective. They shift the focus from the truth to the storyteller, making it harder for people to see the evidence around them.

When you tell someone a universal truth, they begin to search for evidence in their environment and their own lives. They reflect on their experiences, observations, and beliefs. This process not only reinforces the truth but also helps them internalize it. Adding an anecdote short-circuits this process, replacing their reflection with your story.

While personal stories have their place, knowing when to use them — and when to let the truth speak for itself — is an essential skill. Trust the truth to guide people. It doesn’t need help.