Logic is one thing, the human animal another. You can quite easily propose a logical solution to something and at the same time hope in your heart of hearts it won't work out.
Luigi PirandelloRead
THE FATHER: But don't you see that the whole trouble lies here? In words, words. Each one of us has within him a whole world of things, each man of us his own special world. And how can we ever come to an understanding if I put in the words I utter the sense and value of things as I see them; while you who listen to me must inevitably translate them according to the conception of things each one of you has within himself. We think we understand each other, but we never really do.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Communication is flawed because each person interprets words from their own unique perspective.
This quote by Luigi Pirandello highlights the inherent limitations of language and communication. It suggests that while we may believe we understand one another through words, true understanding is hindered by the individual interpretations that each person brings to a conversation. Each of us carries a unique worldview, shaped by our experiences, leading to potential misunderstandings in our interactions.
Themes
CommunicationUnderstandingPerspectiveLanguageInterpretation
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on interpersonal communications at a workshop, you might use this quote to illustrate the challenges of understanding.
More from Luigi Pirandello
All quotes →We're like so many puppets hung on the wall, waiting for someone to come and move us or make us talk.
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Woe to him who doesn't know how to wear his mask, be he king or pope!
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Whoever has the luck to be born a character can laugh even at death. Because a character will never die! A man will die, a writer, the instrument of creation: but what he has created will never die!
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A fact is like a sack - it won't stand up if it's empty. To make it stand up, first you have to put in it all the reasons and feelings that caused it in the first place.
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Anyone can be heroic from time to time, but a gentleman is something you have to be all the time.
Luigi PirandelloRead
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