Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Most people crave genuine attention and are surprised when someone truly wants to hear their story.
In plain terms
People want to be listened to but rarely expect it.
What can you take from it?
Genuine listening is rare and deeply impactful.

Where it applies

  • social interaction
  • friendship

Putting it to work

  • practicing active listening

Questions to consider

  • When did someone truly listen to you last?
  • Are you listening to understand or just waiting to speak?

Another view

It implies most interactions are superficial by default.

More from Walker Percy

  1. She refers to a phenomenon of moviegoing which I have called certification. Nowadays when a person lives somewhere, in a neighborhood, the place is not certifi…

    Permalink to quote #3
  2. A repetition is the re-enactment of past experience toward the end of isolating the time segment which has lapsed in order that it, the lapsed time, can be sav…

    Permalink to quote #5
  3. I had discovered that a person does not have to be this or be that or be anything, not even oneself. One is free. [citation needed]

    Permalink to quote #2

Related quotes

  1. I knew you'd understand.

    Nathan LaneNathan Lane quote #3
  2. A good listener is usually thinking about something else.

    Kin HubbardKin Hubbard quote #4
  3. I pretend to listen:.what more does she want?

    Matt GroeningMatt Groening quote #13