communicative in a reserved way, and I understood that he…
““communicative in a reserved way, and I understood that he meant a great deal more than that. In consequence I’m inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores. The abnormal mind is quick to detect and attach itself to this quality when it appears in a normal person, and so it came about that in college I was unjustly accused of being a politician, because I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men. Most of the confidences were unsought—frequently I have feigned sleep, preoccupation, or a hostile””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He reserves judgment, revealing hidden depths, but sometimes becomes a target of criticism.
In simple terms: Holding back judgments reveals more.
Key Takeaway
Practice patient listening.
Themes
judgment
empathy
social dynamics
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- friendships
- workplace
- first encounters
Key Concepts
psychology
interpersonal insight
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you withheld judgment and benefited?
- How do you balance openness with self‑protection?
A Different Perspective
Risk of being misunderstood or taken advantage of.