Just Saying: Exploring twenty-five remarkable quotations to enlighten, challenge and inspire

by Hugh Mackay

Reflections on profound sayings, ancient and modern, by iconic social researcher Hugh Mackay

Warm, witty, wise – and occasionally challenging – Just Saying is bestselling social psychologist Hugh Mackay's highly personal reflections on twenty-five quotations from some of the world's greatest thinkers and writers, from Confucius and Plato to Susan Sontag and Miles Franklin; from Samuel Johnson and Mary Wollstonecraft to Bertrand Russell and Gloria Steinem.

Interpreting our world and inspiring us to do better, Mackay explores themes ranging from kindness and humility to power and prejudice; from gender equality to ethnic diversity; from coping with change to the damage inflicted on ourselves by revenge, and the great gulf between propriety and virtue.

As Mackay 'Writing these reflections has felt a bit like the beginning of a conversation ... now it's over to you.'

'Hugh Mackay is one of this country's most perceptive social commentators.' - Sydney Morning Herald

'Mackay is something of a national treasure.' - Canberra Times

Genres: Nonfiction

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

Hugh Mackay is a social researcher and novelist who has made a lifelong study of the attitudes and behaviour of Australians. He is the author of twelve books, including five bestsellers. The second edition of his latest non-fiction book, Advance Australia…Where? was published in September 2008, and his fifth novel, Ways of Escape was published in May 2009.

He is a fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and received the University of Sydney’s 2004 Alumni Award for community service. In recognition of his pioneering work in social research, Hugh has been awarded honorary doctorates by Charles Sturt, Macquarie and NSW universities.

He is a former deputy chairman of the Australia Council, a former chairman of trustees of Sydney Grammar School, and was the inaugural chairman of the ACT government’s Community Inclusion Board. He was a newspaper columnist for almost 30 years and now writes occasionally for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The West Australian. He is a frequent guest on ABC radio.

- Biography from Hugh Mackay's website

Reviews

[Callum's Column · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather glib book. The quotations examined in it are nothing new. For instance: it takes a village to raise a child, the medium is the message, the unexamined life is not worth living, etc. They consequently do not enlighten, challenge or inspire as the title of this book suggests. The author, Hugh Mackay, does not analyse the meaning of the sayings. He instead gives his own interpretation on what they mean for him, and what he thinks they may mean for society more broadly. This may have been interesting if he had something original to say. However, much like the unoriginal quotations used, Mackay only provides platitudinal responses with a touch of navel gazing.

[Zoubida · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am not used to reading this kinda book. It was really interesting and kept me thinking, I will probably reread it in a near future as a reminder. I like how open was the author, it's a call to reflection rather than imposition of a thought, which is kinda rare nowadays.
I
recommend it!

[Klee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Saying is a thoughtful, bite-sized read that takes a collection of (in)famous quotations and lightly unpacks their original context before reflecting on what they mean in our modern world. Written by Australian social psychologist Hugh Mackay, the book invites the reader to slow down, sit with ideas, and - most importantly - stay curious and be open to challenge.

Several themes really spoke to me, particularly the emphasis on curiosity and doubt. Mackay reminds us that doubt lies at the heart of wisdom: “Doubt is the oxygen that keeps the flickering candle of faith alive: I believe precisely because I can't know.” This sits alongside sharp observations about power and identity, such as “Patriots seek allies; nationalists need enemies,” and reflections on how negative projection often reveals more about the critic than the criticised.

There is a strong moral thread running through the book, grounded in humanity and compassion. Quotes like “Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not” - Samuel L Johnson and “To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it” - Confucius open up discussions around forgiveness, prejudice, and our tendency to interpret everything - for better or worse. Mackay also explores how we become prisoners of our prejudices, the tension between complacency and change, and how power can quietly erode integrity.

The book places a large focus on gender equality, climate change, and the power of community to heal many of the world’s ills. While there were a few statements I didn’t entirely agree with (including one about men being treated equally - though I may have misread the tone), I appreciated that the book made me pause and question my own thinking. One moment that felt slightly off was the framing of loneliness as a mental illness; it felt more accurate to see it as a significant mental health issue rather than an illness in itself (nit picking!)

Overall, Just Saying doesn’t demand agreement- it invites reflection. Some sections pack a real punch, others simply nudge you into deeper thought. I didn’t agree with everything, but it was undeniably food for thought, and a quietly challenging read that lingers long after you’ve put it down.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting selections with personal interpretations and reflections from the author. I'm sure each reader will get different things from their reading depending on their backgrounds and present situations. It is a book to dip into rather than read in one go.
I was lucky to attend a session hosted by Parramatta Library where Hugh talked about his book. He added entertaining anecdotes that were thought provoking and inspiring, with hope for more positive actions in society.


Reflections on profound sayings, ancient and modern, by iconic social researcher Hugh Mackay

Warm, witty, wise – and occasionally challenging – Just Saying is bestselling social psychologist Hugh Mackay's highly personal reflections on twenty-five quotations from some of the world's greatest thinkers and writers, from Confucius and Plato to Susan Sontag and Miles Franklin; from Samuel Johnson and Mary Wollstonecraft to Bertrand Russell and Gloria Steinem.
Interpreting our world and inspiring us to do better, Mackay explores themes ranging from kindness and humility to power and prejudice; from gender equality to ethnic diversity; from coping with change to the damage inflicted on ourselves by revenge, and the great gulf between propriety and virtue.
As Mackay 'Writing these reflections has felt a bit like the beginning of a conversation ... now it's over to you.'

[Ita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Hugh Mackay's personal musings on 25 quotes, it definitely made me think!