Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.
—Joyce Brothers (1927–2013) American Psychologist, Advice Columnist
If animals could talk, the world would lose its best listeners.
—Robert Brault
Lenin could listen so intently that he exhausted the speaker.
—Isaiah Berlin (1907–97) British Liberal Philosopher, Historian
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
People should talk less and draw more. Personally, I would like to renounce speech altogether and, like organic nature, communicate everything I have to say visually.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
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 Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
One often reads about the art of conversation-how it’s dying or what’s needed to make it flourish, or how rare good ones are. But wouldn’t you agree that the infinitely more valuable rara avis is a good listener?
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
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
When a woman is speaking to you, listen to what she says with her eyes.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
If you listen to your fears, you will die never knowing what a great person you might have been.
—Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) American Christian Televangelist, Author
Listen or thy tongue will keep thee deaf.
—American Indian Proverb
To listen is an effort, and just to hear is no merit. A duck hears also.
—Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971) Russian-born American Composer, Musician
To meet at all, one must open ones eyes to another; and there is no true conversation no matter how many words are spoken, unless the eye, unveiled and listening, opens itself to the other.
—Jessamyn West
The word is half his that speaks, and half his that hears it.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
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
To listen well is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well.
—John Marshall (1755–1835) American Judge, Lawyer
To listen closely and reply well is the highest perfection we are able to attain in the art of conversation.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Most men believe that it would benefit them if they could get a little from those who have more. How much more would it benefit them if they would learn a little from those who know more.
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
My wife says I never listen to her. At least I think that’s what she said.
—Unknown
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
No one every listened themselves out of a job.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
One of the hardest things to do in life is to listen without intent to reply.
—Unknown
I’m glad I understand that while language is a gift, listening is a responsibility.
—Nikki Giovanni (b.1943) American Poet, Writer, Activist, Educator
We only consult the ear because the heart is wanting.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Being listened to and heard is one of the greatest desires of the human heart.
—Richard Carlson (1912–77) American Actor, TV Personality, Film Director, Screenwriter
People will feel safer around you and speak truthfully to you when they feel you are listening intently to them.
—Brian Koslow
You can judge a good listener by asking the talker at the end of the conversation what the listener’s position is on the topic. If the talker doesn’t know, then the listener has probably done a good job of listening.
—Unknown
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
If you spend more time asking appropriate questions rather than giving answers or opinions, your listening skills will increase.
—Brian Koslow