Commodity Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“Conversation: A fair for the display of the minor mental commodities, each exhibitor being too intent upon the arrangement of his own wares to observe those of his neighbor.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Devil's Dictionary, 1906
People focus on their own concerns, ignoring others' needs or perspectives.
In simple terms: Self‑absorption blinds us to neighbors.
Key Takeaway
Practice noticing others.
Themes
selfishness
attention
social awareness
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
observational
social commentary
When to use this quote
- workplace
- neighborhood
- family gatherings
Key Concepts
egoism
empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- How often do you ignore nearby ideas?
- What could you learn by observing others?
A Different Perspective
May overlook valuable insights from others.
![“He [A. J. Balfour] was eminently one of the Cole Porter school of famous men, who only fell to rise again. Picking himself up and brushing himself down became a minor art form, ruefully admired by his contemporaries.” quote by Arthur Balfour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d36/arthur-balfour-15770_admired_he-a-j-balfour-was-eminently-one-of-the_43746.jpg)
