Category Archives: listening

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? While this appears to be an interesting German to English translation, the core of the quote … Continue reading

Posted in fear, limits, listening, live, question, reflection | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

What does it mean to be slandered? Stand by a stone and slander it. If a man listens like a stone, what effect has the slanderer?

What does it mean to be slandered? Stand by a stone and slander it. If a man listens like a stone, what effect has the slanderer? – Epictetus What does that mean? This quote is part of a longer discussion … Continue reading

Posted in change, choice, decision, judgement, listening, self resepct | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? The quote urges us to consider that what others say is their opinion, not fact. … Continue reading

Posted in forgiveness, friendship, listening, observation, perspective | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

I am responsible for what I spoke, but not for what you understood.

I am responsible for what I spoke, but not for what you understood. – Unknown What does that mean? To me, this is a tale of responsibility, and to whom it belongs. We are responsible for the words we say, … Continue reading

Posted in clarity, communication, deception, effort, listening, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The beginning of wisdom is silence. The second step is listening…

The beginning of wisdom is silence. The second step is listening… – Solomon Ibn Gabirol What does that mean? Sadly, this quote is far too long to fit neatly in a single tweet, and so it has been shortened, and … Continue reading

Posted in discovery, future, learning, listening, thinking, wisdom | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Wisdom is not obvious. You must see the subtle and notice the hidden to be victorious.

Wisdom is not obvious. You must see the subtle and notice the hidden to be victorious. – Sun Tzu What does that mean? While this particular quote is about war in specific (see longer version, below), it applies to wisdom … Continue reading

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I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being.

I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being. – Confucius What does that mean? Ever feel like you should be doing something else? Ever feel like something inside of you desperately wants to … Continue reading

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He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.

He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words. – Elbert Hubbard What does that mean? Life isn’t just about talking. Sometimes, we just sit in silence. Sometimes it’s in the library, other times it is … Continue reading

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Listening is an attitude of the heart, a genuine desire to be with another which both attracts and heals.

Listening is an attitude of the heart, a genuine desire to be with another which both attracts and heals. – attributed to J. Isham (no known bio) What does that mean? We all listen to others, in some form or another. … Continue reading

Posted in attitude, friendship, help, listening, love, value | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. – Epictetus What does that mean? Somehow, I imagine this was an old saying before Epictetus latched on to it. It certainly survives … Continue reading

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Such an amazing way to look at life: “Your enemy can be your best teacher” Dalai Lama. Perhaps we don’t have any enemies, just teachers!

Such an amazing way to look at life: “Your enemy can be your best teacher” Dalai Lama. Perhaps we don’t have any enemies, just teachers! – Tony Robbins What does that mean? This is a popular paraphrasing of a Dalai Lama quote. … Continue reading

Posted in attitude, listening, opposition, personal growth, truth, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.

You have not converted a man because you have silenced him. – John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn What does that mean? This quote is about debates and how they appear to end. There are many reasons one might be silent … Continue reading

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If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito.

If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito. – Anonymous What does that mean? If you have never been hectored by a small flying insect, this quote probably have no … Continue reading

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Discussion is an exchange of knowledge, argument is an exchange of ignorance.

Discussion is an exchange of knowledge, argument is an exchange of ignorance. – Robert Quillen What does that mean? I have always had a soft spot for witticisms, and this is certainly one of my favorites. Sadly, this is also a … Continue reading

Posted in communication, emotion, knowledge, listening, understanding | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.

By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong. – Charles Wadsworth What does that mean? I can imagine this being said with a bit of a wry smile. … Continue reading

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