The wise have always said the same things, and fools, who are the majority have always done just the opposite.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
Within seconds thoughts become words that slip off our tongue and into the world. Pausing before we speak may seem cumbersome, but it allows us to decide: Is this helpful? Does this need to be said now? What is the best way to say this?
Interpretation
Thoughts transform into words quickly, and taking a moment to pause can enhance the impact of what we say.
This quote emphasizes the importance of being mindful before speaking. It suggests that our thoughts rapidly become words, and by pausing to consider the helpfulness, timing, and delivery of our words, we can communicate more effectively and thoughtfully, ultimately leading to better interactions and understanding.
In practice
During a team meeting, I paused before voicing my opinion to ensure it was constructive.
The wise have always said the same things, and fools, who are the majority have always done just the opposite.
I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a writer never complains, never explains and never disdains.
Sometimes the heart is so heavy that we turn away from it and forget that its throbbing is the wisest message of life, a wordless message that says, "Live, be, move, rejoice -- you are alive!" Without the heart's wise rhythm, we could not exist.
A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
Rather than going after our walls and barriers with a sledgehammer, we pay attention to them. With gentleness and honesty, we move closer to those walls. We touch them and smell them and get to know them well. We begin a process of acknowledging our aversions and our cravings. We become familiar with the strategies and beliefs we use to build the walls: What are the stories I tell myself? What repels me and what attracts me? We start to get curious about what’s going on.
Our finest flowers are often weeds transplanted.
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