Labeling and diagnosis is a catastrophic way to communicate. Telling other people what's wrong with them greatly reduces, almost to zero, the probability that we're going to get what we're after.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
Tragically, one of the rarest commodities in our culture is empathy. People are hungry for empathy, They don't know how to ask for it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Empathy is often scarce in society, yet people deeply desire it but may struggle to express that need.
This quote highlights the critical role empathy plays in our interactions and relationships, pointing out that it is often lacking in our culture. Marshall B. Rosenberg emphasizes that while many individuals crave understanding and compassion from others, they may not know how to request it, leading to a gap in emotional connection and support among people.
Themes
EmpathyUnderstandingRelationshipsCultureCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about improving community engagement, one might say, 'As Marshall B. Rosenberg noted, tragically, one of the rarest commodities in our culture is empathy.'
More from Marshall B. Rosenberg
All quotes βWhether I praise or criticize someone's action, I imply that I am their judge, that I'm engaged in rating them or what they have done.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
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
All that has been integrated into NVC has been known for centuries about consciousness, language, communication skills, and use of power that enable us to maintain a perspective of empathy for ourselves and others, even under trying conditions.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
The punitive use of force tends to generate hostility and to reinforce resistance to the very behavior we are seeking.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
Expressing our vulnerability can help resolve conflicts.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
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Since no man ever can, or could, live by himself and for himself alone, the destinies of thousands of other people were bound to be affected, some remotely, but some very directly and near-at-hand, by my own choices and decisions and desires, as my own life would also be formed and modified according to theirs.
Thomas MertonRead
We can solve many problems in an appropriate way, without any difficulty, if we cultivate harmony, friendship and respect for one another.
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My books are always about somebody who is taken from aloneness and isolation - often elevated loneliness - to community. It may be a denigrated community that is filthy and poor, but they are not alone; they are with people.
Chuck PalahniukRead
In the confusion we stay with each other, happy to be together, speaking without uttering a single word.
Walt WhitmanRead