Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker maintains politeness even when delivering direct opinions.
In plain terms
I stay polite but state my honest thoughts clearly when needed.
What can you take from it?
Honesty and politeness can coexist effectively.

Where it applies

  • difficult conversations
  • workplace feedback
  • conflict

Putting it to work

  • state opinions calmly
  • maintain decorum

Questions to consider

  • How do you balance honesty with kindness?
  • Is it possible to be firm and polite?

Another view

Politeness can sometimes soften necessary harsh truths.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. She got out of the car in a smooth motion that [he] found attractive precisely because it did not seem designed to make men watch her do it

    Permalink to quote #622
  2. [He] didn't like dreams because they were even worse than his real life.

    Permalink to quote #624
  3. He was wild the way a mistreated dog becomes wild, not because it loves freedom, but because it has lost trust

    Permalink to quote #621

Related quotes

  1. It's a rather rude gesture, but at least it's clear what you mean.

    Katharine HepburnKatharine Hepburn quote #18
  2. Never forget what a man says to you when he is angry.

    Henry Ward BeecherHenry Ward Beecher quote #1
  3. 'Don't ever ask me for a true statement again!'

    Evan MechamEvan Mecham quote #1