A stupid man's report of what a clever man says is never accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something that he can understand.
EducationLanguageCognitionCommunicationIntelligenceUnderstanding
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A stupid person misreports a clever person's words because they unconsciously simplify them to what they understand.
- In plain terms
- People distort others' ideas when they lack understanding.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize that misinterpretation often stems from limited comprehension.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How can we ensure accurate transmission of ideas?
- What role does humility play in listening?
Another view
Even well-intentioned listeners can misrepresent ideas.
More from Bertrand Russell
He founded a religion, of which the main tenets were transmigration of souls and the sinfulness of eating beans.
Permalink to quote #146 There is a story of a man who got the experience from laughing gas; whenever he was under its influence, he knew the secret of the universe, but when he came t…
Permalink to quote #148 Uncertainty, in the presence of vivid hopes and fears, is painful, but must be endured if we wish to live without the support of comforting fairy tales. It is …
Permalink to quote #145
Related quotes
Words: 'Words are the tools that verbally enable our thoughts. If a person cannot communicate his ideas effectively to others because of a weakness in language…
Bryant McGillBryant McGill quote #52 Ya savvy?
Phil HendriePhil Hendrie quote #390 Why should things be easy to understand?
Thomas PynchonThomas Pynchon quote #2