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About this quote

What does it mean?
People can recognize harm caused yet doubt their intent to manipulate.
In plain terms
She knows she hurt him but doubts she meant to play with him.
What can you take from it?
Self-awareness of harm does not always mean intent.

Where it applies

  • conflicts
  • apologies
  • misunderstandings

Putting it to work

  • own your impact
  • clarify intent
  • make amends

Questions to consider

  • Does intent excuse harm?
  • How do you know you hurt someone?

Another view

Intent and impact are often conflated unfairly.

More from Orson Scott Card

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  2. How could you tell, when utter honesty and cynical manipulation would each account completely for the things she said and did?

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  3. He'd suppose she was looking at him with hurt and longing, that sort of dreamy-eyed look that he remembered very well from high school, the look that girls eve…

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