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Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice; Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Listen more than you speak, and be cautious in making judgments about others.

This quote by William Shakespeare emphasizes the importance of being a good listener and exercising caution when forming judgments about others. It suggests that one should approach conversations with openness and consideration, valuing the opinions of others while also being mindful of the need to reserve personal judgment until more is known.

Themes

ListeningJudgmentWisdomCommunicationOpenness

In practice

Example use cases

In a team meeting to emphasize the importance of collaboration.

More from William Shakespeare

As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
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Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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