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About this quote

What does it mean?
Writing carries disproportionate power. Authors often underestimate the impact of their words.
In plain terms
Writing is a powerful tool that can hurt or defend more than you intend.
What can you take from it?
Be mindful that your written words can have unintended consequences.

Where it applies

  • public communication
  • conflict
  • advocacy

Putting it to work

  • review before sending
  • weigh impact
  • seek perspective

Questions to consider

  • Have your words ever hurt unexpectedly?
  • Do you write before speaking?

Another view

Some contexts require boldness over measured restraint.

More from Anthony Trollope

  1. The satirist who writes nothing but satire should write but little- or it will seem that his satire springs rather from his own caustic nature than from the si…

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  2. Three hours a day will produce as much as a man ought to write.

    Permalink to quote #80
  3. A small task, if it be really daily, will beat the labors of a spasmodic Hercules.

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