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About this quote

What does it mean?
Clear communication is vital in tense times to avoid unintended disasters.
In plain terms
Clear words are crucial to prevent misunderstandings.
What can you take from it?
Precision prevents conflict.

Where it applies

  • diplomacy
  • leadership
  • public speaking

Putting it to work

  • choose words carefully
  • clarify intent

Questions to consider

  • What is the cost of miscommunication?
  • How precise should we be?

Another view

Sometimes silence is safer than speech.

More from James Thurber

  1. Never allow a nervous female to have access to a pistol, no matter what you're wearing.

    Permalink to quote #95
  2. Women are wiser than men because they know less and understand more.

    Permalink to quote #94
  3. Why do you have to be a nonconformist like everybody else?

    Permalink to quote #93

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