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There was a man with tongue of wood who essayed to sing…

“There was a man with tongue of wood who essayed to sing, and in truth it was lamentable; but there was one who heard the clip-clapper of this tongue of wood, and knew what the man wished to sing, and with that the singer was content.” quote by Stephen Crane
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““There was a man with tongue of wood who essayed to sing, and in truth it was lamentable; but there was one who heard the clip-clapper of this tongue of wood, and knew what the man wished to sing, and with that the singer was content.””

Stephen Crane

About This Quote

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

A wooden tongue hinders a man's song, yet an attentive listener perceives his intent, bringing the singer satisfaction.

In simple terms: A wooden tongue blocks singing, but understanding listener brings contentment.

Key Takeaway

Seek to understand others' intentions.

Themes

communication empathy artistic expression

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

interpretive philosophical

When to use this quote

  • performance
  • teaching
  • therapy
  • collaborative creation

Key Concepts

perception interpretation authenticity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we better listen to unspoken desires?
  • What role does empathy play in artistic collaboration?
A Different Perspective

Understanding may be limited by personal bias.

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