He laughingly expressed his surprise at having provoked…
““He laughingly expressed his surprise at having provoked such anger. Perhaps he said this in the hope of minimising in my eyes the importance of his indiscreet intervention, perhaps because he was of a cowardly nature and lived gaily and idly in an atmosphere of falsehood, as jellyfish float upon the surface of the sea, perhaps because, even if he had been a man of a different kind, other people can never see things from our point of view and therefore do not realise the magnitude of the injury that words uttered at random can do us.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He downplays his provocative words, fearing they cause harm, but acknowledges that words can unintentionally wound others.
In simple terms: Words can hurt, even when meant lightly.
Key Takeaway
Choose words carefully, consider impact.
Themes
communication
intent
harm
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- public discourse
- writing
Key Concepts
psychology of speech
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you gauge the effect of your words?
- When should you apologize for unintended harm?
A Different Perspective
Intentions may be misread; impact can be unpredictable.