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Almost certainly I will not tell her my intentions this…

“Almost certainly I will not tell her my intentions this evening or tonight. I will put it off. Why? Because words are actions and they make things happen. Once they are out you cannot put them back.” quote by Hanif Kureishi
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“Almost certainly I will not tell her my intentions this evening or tonight. I will put it off. Why? Because words are actions and they make things happen. Once they are out you cannot put them back.”

Hanif Kureishi

About This Quote

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

Delaying disclosure of intentions can prevent irreversible consequences; words act as commitments.

In simple terms: Think before you speak.

Key Takeaway

Consider impact before speaking.

Themes

communication responsibility decision‑making

Mood

thoughtful cautious

Type

ethical pragmatic

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • negotiations
  • public statements
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

commitment speech act theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • When should you speak versus stay silent?
  • How do you repair spoken commitments?
A Different Perspective

Silence can also be misinterpreted or cause anxiety.

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