To say 'I love you' one must first be able to say the 'I.'
Ayn RandRead
It is not advisable to venture unsolicited opinions. You should spare yourself the embarrassing discovery of their exact value to your listener.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Unrequested opinions can often lead to misunderstandings and embarrassment.
Ayn Rand suggests that sharing unsolicited opinions may not be beneficial, as they can be met with indifference or negativity. It highlights the importance of understanding the context and receptiveness of your audience before expressing thoughts that may not have been asked for, thereby emphasizing the value of communication and the potential pitfalls of overstepping boundaries.
Themes
OpinionsCommunicationWisdomUnderstandingEmbarrassment
In practice
Example use cases
In a business meeting, choosing not to share your unsolicited opinions can lead to a more productive discussion.
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It is my eyes which see, and the sight of my eyes grants beauty to the earth. It is my ears which hear, and the hearing of my ears gives its song to the world. It is my mind which thinks, and the judgement of my mind is the only searchlight that can find the truth. It is my will which chooses, and the choice of my will is the only edict I must respect.
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What is the basic, the essential, the crucial principle that differentiates freedom from slavery? It is the principle of voluntary action versus physical coercion or compulsion.
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One method of destroying a concept is by diluting its meaning. Observe that by ascribing rights to the unborn, i.e., the nonliving, the anti-abortionists obliterate the rights of the living.
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I think that when in doubt about the truth of an issue, it's safer and in better taste to select the least numerous of the adversaries.
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