Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author prioritizes avoiding offense over factual precision in their writing.
In plain terms
I care more about not hurting feelings than being accurate.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize sensitivity over strict accuracy in communication.

Where it applies

  • publishing
  • writing
  • public speaking

Putting it to work

  • edit carefully
  • check tone
  • avoid harm

Questions to consider

  • When is sensitivity more important than truth?

Another view

Sacrificing accuracy can spread misinformation.

More from Thomas R. Marshall

  1. In the city of Denver, while I was vice-president, a big husky policeman kept following me around until I asked him what he was doing. He said he was guarding …

    Permalink to quote #5
  2. The Vice-President's Chamber is adjacent to the Senate Chamber, and so small that to survive it is necessary to keep the door open in order to obtain the neces…

    Permalink to quote #7
  3. The labor unions of Indiana proceeded to meet and resolve. They resolved in such violent and vicious language that no partisan press could be found willing to …

    Permalink to quote #4

Related quotes

  1. In comparing various authors with one another, I have discovered that some of the gravest and latest writers have transcribed, word for word, from former works…

    Pliny the ElderPliny the Elder quote #2
  2. This story is slightly immoral, but so, I guess, are stories based on truth.

    Ring LardnerRing Lardner quote #3
  3. To give an accurate and exhaustive account of that period would need a far less brilliant pen than mine.

    Max BeerbohmMax Beerbohm quote #3