Death is the sound of distant thunder at a picnic.
W. H. AudenRead
Who on earth invented the silly convention that it is boring or impolite to talk shop? Nothing is more interesting to listen to, especially if the shop is not one's own.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the value of discussing one's work or interests, suggesting it can be engaging and insightful, even for outsiders.
W. H. Auden critiques the societal norm that discourages discussing work-related topics in casual settings, arguing that such discussions can be stimulating and rewarding. He implies that many find it intriguing to hear about others' experiences and expertise, highlighting the joy in sharing passions and knowledge rather than adhering to expectations of what is considered polite conversation.
Themes
ConventionTalkShopInterestEngaging
In practice
Example use cases
During a networking event, one could use this quote to encourage professionals to share their work experiences.
More from W. H. Auden
All quotes →That the speech of self-disclosure should be translatable seems to me very odd, but I am convinced that it is. The conclusion that I draw is that the only quality which all human being without exception possess is uniqueness: any characteristic, on the other hand, which one individual can be recognized as having in common with another, like red hair or the English language, implies the existence of other individual qualities which this classification excludes.
W. H. AudenRead
Nobody knows what the cause is, though some pretend they do; it like some hidden assassin waiting to strike at you. Childless women get it, and men when they retire; it as if there had to be some outlet for their foiled creative fire.
W. H. AudenRead
History is, strictly speaking, the study of questions; the study of answers belongs to anthropology and sociology.
W. H. AudenRead
Music is the best means we have of digesting time.
W. H. AudenRead
'Healing,' Papa would tell me, 'is not a science, but the intuitive art of wooing nature.'
W. H. AudenRead
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