And enough for me that when my hand touched your shoulder, you leaned on me; and when you felt me slip away, you called my name.
Orson Scott CardRead
If the other fellow can't tell you his story, you can never be sure he isn't trying to kill you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding others' perspectives is crucial to forming trust and safety in relationships.
This quote highlights the importance of communication and understanding in human interactions. It suggests that without knowing another person's story, their intentions may remain unclear, leading to fear or distrust. It emphasizes that empathy and insight into others' experiences can foster better relationships and reduce conflict.
Themes
CommunicationUnderstandingEmpathyRelationshipsTrust
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting, to encourage open dialogue, I shared this quote to emphasize the importance of understanding each other's perspectives.
More from Orson Scott Card
All quotes →The world is always a democracy in times of flux, and the man with the best voice will win.
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Never mind that the story had turned out to be lies and foolishness—there was always folks stupid enough to say, Where there's smoke there's fire, when the saying should have been, Where there's scandalous lies there's always malicious believers and spreaders-around, regardless of evidence.
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The lives of all people flow through time, and, regardless of how brutal one moment may be, how filled with grief or pain or fear, time flows through all lives equally.
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You take a step, then another. That's the journey. But to take a step with your eyes open is not a journey at all, it's a remaking of your own mind.
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I've had your tears with mine, and you've had mine with yours. I think that's more intimate even than a kiss.
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