Everything is dangerous, my dear fellow. If it wasn't so, life wouldn't be worth living.
Oscar WildeRead
One should never listen. To listen is a sign of indifference to one's hearers.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Listening can indicate a lack of concern for others' opinions.
In this quote, Oscar Wilde suggests that listening implies a certain level of indifference toward others, as it may detach one from actively engaging with the perspectives and feelings of their audience. Wilde's statement emphasizes the importance of authentic connection and response in communication rather than mere passive reception.
Themes
ListeningCommunicationIndifferenceEngagementAudience
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker might use this quote to highlight the importance of guiding their audience through active engagement rather than simply presenting information.
More from Oscar Wilde
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A truth ceases to be true when more than one person believes in it.
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People never leave, we are always here in our past and future lives.
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