Skip to content

My friend, when a man has anything to tell in this world…

“My friend, when a man has anything to tell in this world, the difficulty is not to make him tell it, but to prevent him from telling it too often.” quote by George Bernard Shaw
Download Open image
“My friend, when a man has anything to tell in this world, the difficulty is not to make him tell it, but to prevent him from telling it too often.”

George Bernard Shaw

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The challenge is not making a man speak, but preventing him from speaking too often.

In simple terms: Control overexpression is harder than encouraging speech.

Key Takeaway

Value restraint in communication.

Themes

communication self‑control truth speech

Mood

contemplative critical

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • political discourse
  • personal relationships
  • media

Key Concepts

speech regulation social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is it appropriate to speak?
  • How do you balance honesty with restraint?
A Different Perspective

Silencing can suppress necessary truth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by George Bernard Shaw

Explore all 1,640 George Bernard Shaw quotes

More Difficulty quotes

Browse all 3,282 Difficulty quotes