Goethe: If you knew how rarely people understand what you say correctly, you would mostly remain silent.
Goethe: If you knew how rarely people understand what you say correctly, you would mostly remain silent.
This quote by Goethe suggests that communication is often misunderstood or misinterpreted. Goethe argues that if people were truly aware of how frequently their words are not understood as intended, they might choose to speak less often. The implication is that there is a significant gap between what one tries to convey and how others perceive it. This could be seen as an observation about the complexity of human communication, where factors like context, tone, and the listener's perspective can lead to misunderstandings. As a result, it might be wiser to listen more and speak with greater care and clarity.
Quote By: Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) was a German writer, statesman, and polymath, widely regarded as one of the greatest figures in Western literature. His prolific works span poetry, drama, and prose, with his most famous being the tragic play "Faust" and the semi-autobiographical novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther." A key figure in the Sturm und Drang literary movement and an influential thinker in various fields, Goethe's intellectual legacy continues to resonate in literature and philosophy today.
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