Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Most arguments grow bigger because of underlying misunderstandings rather than actual differences.
In plain terms
Fights often get worse because people don't understand each other.
What can you take from it?
Check for misunderstandings before escalating a conflict.

Where it applies

  • family disputes
  • workplace disagreements
  • political debates

Putting it to work

  • pause before reacting
  • clarify intent
  • ask questions

Questions to consider

  • What assumption am I making about the other person?
  • How might this disagreement look if I understood their view?

Another view

Not all quarrels stem from misunderstanding; some arise from genuine value clashes.

More from Andre Gide

  1. Know thyself! A maxim as pernicious as it is ugly. Whoever observes himself arrests his own development. A caterpillar who wanted to know itself well would nev…

    Permalink to quote #29
  2. Nothing is so silly as the expression of a man who is being complimented.

    Permalink to quote #31
  3. It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves- in finding themselves.

    Permalink to quote #28

Related quotes

  1. Chater: You insulted my wife in the gazebo yesterday evening! Septimus: You are mistaken. I made love to your wife in the gazebo. She asked me to meet her ther…

    Tom StoppardTom Stoppard quote #37
  2. There are no dialogues, only intersecting monologues.

    Mark TwainMark Twain quote #189
  3. Never offend people with style when you can offend them with substance.

    Sam BrownSam Brown quote #1