To forgive is not to forget. The merit lies in loving in spite of the vivid knowledge that one that must be loved is not a friend. There is not merit in loving an enemy when you forget him for a friend.
Mahatma GandhiRead
We cannot be speakers who do not listen. But neither can we be listeners who do not speak.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Active listening and speaking are both essential for effective communication.
This quote by Mahatma Gandhi emphasizes the importance of balance in communication. It suggests that to engage meaningfully with others, one must not only listen attentively but also express their own thoughts and feelings. The act of listening itself enriches the speaker's words, while speaking allows the listener to contribute to the dialogue, fostering mutual understanding and connection.
Themes
CommunicationListeningSpeakingDialogueUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a public speaking workshop, when discussing the importance of listening in speeches.
More from Mahatma Gandhi
All quotes βLove never claims, it ever gives. Love ever suffers, never resents never revenges itself.
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Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
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The real test of nonviolence lies in its being brought in contact with those who have contempt for it.
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Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
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The devotion of such titans of spirit as Lenin to an Ideal must bear fruit. The nobility of his selflessness will be an example through centuries to come, and his Ideal will reach perfection.
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Similar quotes
I passionately believe that's it's not just what you say that counts, it's also how you say it - that the success of your argument critically depends on your manner of presenting it.
Alain De BottonRead
The human voice: It's the instrument we all play. It's the most powerful sound in the world, probably. It's the only one that can start a war or say 'I love you.' And yet many people have the experience that when they speak, people don't listen to them.
Julian TreasureRead
The truth isn't the truth until people believe you, and they can't believe you if they don't know what you're saying, and they can't know what you're saying if they don't listen to you, and they won't listen to you if you're not interesting, and you won't be interesting unless you say things imaginatively, originally, freshly.
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There is only one excuse for a speaker's asking the attention of his audience: he must have either truth or entertainment for them.
Dale CarnegieRead
In nonviolent communication, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests. Then we may wish to reflect back, paraphrasing what we have understood. We stay with empathy, allowing others the opportunity to fully express themselves before we turn our attention to solutions or requests for relief.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
You can't truly listen to someone and do anything else at the same time.
Julian TreasureRead