Sir, I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Providing an argument does not guarantee the other person will understand it.
- In plain terms
- You can give facts but not force someone to get them.
- What can you take from it?
- Communication requires understanding, not just data.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Did they actually hear you?
- How do you ensure understanding?
Another view
Sometimes understanding fails due to bias, not lack of logic.
More from Samuel Johnson
Milton, Madam, was a genius that could cut a Colossus from a rock; but could not carve heads upon cherry-stones.
Permalink to quote #198 Sir, I look upon every day to be lost, in which I do not make a new acquaintance.
Permalink to quote #200 It is as bad as bad can be: it is ill-fed, ill-killed, ill-kept, and ill-drest.
Permalink to quote #197
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