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About this quote

What does it mean?
People are unpleasant in conversation because they think about what they want to say rather than listening to others.
In plain terms
Poor conversation happens when you only listen to plan your reply.
What can you take from it?
Listening to understand is better than listening to reply.

Where it applies

  • meetings
  • dates
  • group chats

Putting it to work

  • listen fully before speaking
  • ask follow-up questions
  • put phone away

Questions to consider

  • Are you waiting to talk or actually listening?
  • What do you miss when thinking of your reply?

Another view

Some contexts require quick turn-taking where deep listening slows flow.

More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld

  1. Il est plus difficile de dissimuler les sentiments que l'on a que de feindre ceux que l'on n'a pas.

    Permalink to quote #111
  2. Il faut ecouter ceux qui parlent, si on veut en etre ecoute.

    Permalink to quote #113
  3. Il est quelquefois agreable a un mari d'avoir une femme jalouse; il entend toujours parler de ce qu'il aime.

    Permalink to quote #110

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