Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
People rarely speak their full truth because language is imprecise and thoughts are complex.
In plain terms
Words fail to capture everything we truly think.
What can you take from it?
Listen for what is left unsaid.

Where it applies

  • negotiations
  • conversations
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • read between lines
  • clarify intent
  • patience

Questions to consider

  • How do you find the truth?
  • Is silence better?

Another view

Sometimes people intentionally hide their true thoughts.

More from Henry Adams

  1. Simplicity is the most deceitful mistress that ever betrayed man.

    Permalink to quote #30
  2. Even in America, the Indian Summer of life should be a little sunny and a little sad, like the season, and infinite in wealth and depth of tone- but never hust…

    Permalink to quote #32
  3. We combat obstacles in order to get repose, and, when got, the repose is insupportable.

    Permalink to quote #29

Related quotes

  1. Always remember that it is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood: there will always be some who misunderstand you.

    Karl PopperKarl Popper quote #46
  2. The folly of mistaking a paradox for a discovery, a metaphor for a proof, a torrent of verbiage for a spring of capital truths, and oneself for an oracle, is i…

    Paul ValeryPaul Valery quote #1
  3. Her words are trusty heralds to her mind.

    John (dramatist) FordJohn (dramatist) Ford quote #1