The first duty of love is to listen.
—Paul Tillich (1886–1965) German-born Protestant Theologian
Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist
Home is where you can say anything you like cause nobody listens to you anyway.
—Unknown
Listening well and answering well is one of the greatest perfections that can be obtained in conversation.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
All speech, written or spoken, is a dead language, until it finds a willing and prepared hearer.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. You can see that when you think how the friends that really listen to us are the ones we move toward, and we want to sit in their radius as though it did us good, like ultraviolet rays.
—Brenda Ueland (1891–1985) American Journalist Memoirist
Are you really listening… or are you just waiting for your turn to talk?
—Robert Montgomery (1904–81) American Film, Television Actor, Director, Producer
Skillful listening is the best remedy for loneliness, loquaciousness, and laryngitis.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
We only consult the ear because the heart is wanting.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.
—Robert Fulghum (b.1937) American Unitarian Author, Essayist, Clergyman
You are educated when you have the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or self-confidence.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
To listen well is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well.
—John Marshall (1755–1835) American Statesman, 4th Chief Justice of the U.S.
He listens well who takes notes.
—Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) Italian Poet, Philosopher
They’re fancy talkers about themselves, writers. If I had to give young writers advice, I would say don’t listen to writers talking about writing or themselves.
—Lillian Hellman (1905–84) American Dramatist, Memoirist
It takes a great man to be a good listener.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
Listening is more important than talking. Just hit your mark and believe what you say. Just listen to people and react to what they are saying.
—Jimmy Fallon (b.1974) American Comedian, Actor, Television Host
Difficult as it is really to listen to someone in affliction, it is just as difficult for him to know that compassion is listening to him.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
From listening comes wisdom, and from speaking repentance.
—Italian Proverb
I’m glad I understand that while language is a gift, listening is a responsibility.
—Nikki Giovanni (1943–2024) American Poet, Activist, Professor
When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
When I have been listened to and when I have been heard, I am able to re-perceive my world in a new way and to go on. It is astonishing how elements that seem insoluble become soluble when someone listens, how confusions that seem irremediable turn into relatively clear flowing streams when one is heard. I have deeply appreciated the times that I have experienced this sensitive, empathic, concentrated listening.
—Carl Rogers (1902–1987) American Psychologist
The hearing ear is always found close to the speaking tongue; and no genius can long or often utter anything which is not invited and gladly entertained by men around him.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Listening to people keeps them entertained.
—Mason Cooley (1927–2002) American Aphorist
No one every listened themselves out of a job.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
Silence is a source of great strength.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
No one is listening until you fart.
—Unknown
The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
Man’s inability to communicate is a result of his failure to listen effectively.
—Carl Rogers (1902–1987) American Psychologist
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