Two may talk and one may hear, but three cannot take part in a conversation of the most sincere and searching sort.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Deep, honest conversations require intimacy that breaks down when a third person joins, diluting the focus and sincerity.
- In plain terms
- True deep talks happen best between two people; adding a third ruins the connection.
- What can you take from it?
- Limit deep conversations to pairs for maximum sincerity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When did a third person ruin a talk?
- How do you protect private conversations?
Another view
Some deep conversations benefit from witnesses or mediators for safety.
More from Ralph Waldo Emerson
A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
Permalink to quote #122 The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
Permalink to quote #124 A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud.
Permalink to quote #121
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