---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It takes a great man to be a good listener."
description: "\"It takes a great man to be a good listener.\" — Calvin Coolidge"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/calvin-coolidge-764_good-listener_it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listen_1601731.jpg"
---

#  It takes a great man to be a good listener.

![“It takes a great man to be a good listener.” quote by Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/calvin-coolidge-764_good-listener_it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listen_1601731.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/calvin-coolidge-764_good-listener_it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listen_1601731.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/calvin-coolidge-764_good-listener_it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listen_1601731.jpg)

> “It takes a great man to be a good listener.”

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

## About This Quote

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

Great men must listen well, implying humility and respect are essential for leadership.

**In simple terms:** Good listening is a sign of greatness.

Key Takeaway

Practice active listening to lead effectively.

Themes

leadership humility communication

Mood

inspirational thoughtful

Type

leadership philosophical

When to use this quote

- team meetings
- mentoring
- conflict mediation

Key Concepts

active listening respect service

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you improve your listening skills?
- What does “great” mean in leadership?

A Different Perspective

Listening alone isn’t enough without decisive action.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Good listener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-listener/) [Great man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-man/) [Listener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listener/) [Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening/) [Man Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-good/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/)

## Related quotes

> [The single most important key to success is to be a good listener.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-wearstler/the-single-most-important-key-to-success-is-to-be-a-good-listener/)

[Kelly Wearstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-wearstler/)

> [“A good listener is usually thinking of something else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kin-hubbard/a-good-listener-is-usually-thinking-of-something-else/)

[Kin Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kin-hubbard/)

> [Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-a-good-listener-encourage-others-to-talk-about-themselves/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [This is the problem with dealing with someone who is actually a good listener. They dont jump in on your sentences, saving you from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/this-is-the-problem-with-dealing-with-someone-who-is-actually-a-good/)

[Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/)

> [“Being a good listener is the perfect way to avoid answering questions you’d rather ignore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-c-andrews/being-a-good-listener-is-the-perfect-way-to-avoid-answering-questions/)

[V.C. Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-c-andrews/)

> [I'm not a good listener some times. I'm too much of a control freak. I'm learning to be better. I was so caught up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-stern/i-m-not-a-good-listener-some-times-i-m-too-much-of-a-control-freak-i/)

[Howard Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-stern/)

> [Nobody is more persuasive than a good listener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/nobody-is-more-persuasive-than-a-good-listener/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [“A good listener is totally focused on the speaker with an open mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-hess/a-good-listener-is-totally-focused-on-the-speaker-with-an-open-mind/)

[Ludwig Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-hess/)

> [A good listener is usually thinking about something else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kin-hubbard/a-good-listener-is-usually-thinking-about-something-else/)

[Kin Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kin-hubbard/)

> [“Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble." -Frank Tyger”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-tyger/be-a-good-listener-your-ears-will-never-get-you-in-trouble-frank-tyger/)

[Frank Tyger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-tyger/)

> [I don't think you can be a good listener unless you're a good listener. I think it's something that you really have to do,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-gephardt/i-don-t-think-you-can-be-a-good-listener-unless-you-re-a-good/)

[Dick Gephardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-gephardt/)

> [I think I am quite a good listener.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/i-think-i-am-quite-a-good-listener/)

[Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/)

> [I feel like I'm a good listener.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle/i-feel-like-i-m-a-good-listener/)

[Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle/)

> [I am a good listener. I think that came from my schooling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/i-am-a-good-listener-i-think-that-came-from-my-schooling/)

[Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/)

> [“Be a good listener, so your spoken words may be appropriate”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-aluko/be-a-good-listener-so-your-spoken-words-may-be-appropriate/)

[Emmanuel Aluko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-aluko/)

## More by Calvin Coolidge

> [Not all those who are attempting to conduct successful businesses are profiteers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/not-all-those-who-are-attempting-to-conduct-successful-businesses-are/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [A wholesome regard for the memory of the great men of long ago is the best assurance to a people of a continuation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/a-wholesome-regard-for-the-memory-of-the-great-men-of-long-ago-is-the/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [“I have noticed that nothing I have never said ever did me any harm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/i-have-noticed-that-nothing-i-have-never-said-ever-did-me-any-harm/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [“It has been my observation in life that, if one will only exercise the patience to wait, his wants are likely to be filled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/it-has-been-my-observation-in-life-that-if-one-will-only-exercise-the/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [The man who builds a factory builds a temple, that the man who works there worships there, and to each is due, not scorn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-man-who-builds-a-factory-builds-a-temple-that-the-man-who-works/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [The property of the people belongs to the people. To take it from them by taxation cannot be justified except by urgent public necessity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-property-of-the-people-belongs-to-the-people-to-take-it-from-them/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [“The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-nation-which-forgets-its-defenders-will-itself-be-forgotten/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/no-person-was-ever-honored-for-what-he-received-honor-has-been-the/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [Nations are beginning to look to some vague organization, some nebulous course of humanity, to pay their bills and tell them what to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/nations-are-beginning-to-look-to-some-vague-organization-some/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [The government can supply no substitute for enterprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-government-can-supply-no-substitute-for-enterprise/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [“While we should not refuse to spend and be spent in the service of our country, it is hazardous to attempt what we feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/while-we-should-not-refuse-to-spend-and-be-spent-in-the-service-of/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [One of the greatest dangers to peace lies in the economic pressure to which people find themselves subjected. One of the most practical things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/one-of-the-greatest-dangers-to-peace-lies-in-the-economic-pressure-to/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [War is the rule of force, and peace is the reign of law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/war-is-the-rule-of-force-and-peace-is-the-reign-of-law/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [Advertising ministers to the spiritual side of trade. It is great power that has been entrusted to your keeping which charges you with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/advertising-ministers-to-the-spiritual-side-of-trade-it-is-great/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [We cannot permit any inquisition either within or without the law or apply any religious test to the holding of office. The mind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/we-cannot-permit-any-inquisition-either-within-or-without-the-law-or/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

[Explore all 376 Calvin Coolidge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

## More Good quotes

> [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/)

[Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/)

> [Today I didn't even have to even use my A.K ! I got to say it was a good day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/today-i-didn-t-even-have-to-even-use-my-a-k-i-got-to-say-it-was-a/)

[Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/)

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

> [If you want to edit your photos and make yourself look different, go for it. That is up to you, but in my opinion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-list/if-you-want-to-edit-your-photos-and-make-yourself-look-different-go/)

[Peyton List](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-list/)

> [I met Rajini sir after 'Jigarthanda,' and he said he liked my film. He told me I could approach him whenever I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthik-subbaraj/i-met-rajini-sir-after-jigarthanda-and-he-said-he-liked-my-film-he/)

[Karthik Subbaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthik-subbaraj/)

> [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/)

[Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/)

> [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. It's like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/sometimes-i-m-in-a-bad-mood-sometimes-i-m-in-a-good-mood-it-s-like/)

[Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/)

> [Eric Clapton's scales - when he comes off a high note and it's time for a refrain or a little bit of a rest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rea/eric-clapton-s-scales-when-he-comes-off-a-high-note-and-it-s-time-for/)

[Chris Rea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rea/)

> [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/)

[Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/)

> [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/)

[Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/)

> [My only close-to-game-plan is to follow good writing. If the writing is in TV or if it's in theater or in film, that's it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-driver/my-only-close-to-game-plan-is-to-follow-good-writing-if-the-writing/)

[Adam Driver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-driver/)

> [The Derby experience had not been good for me and the way it finished left a very bad taste in my mouth so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-pearson/the-derby-experience-had-not-been-good-for-me-and-the-way-it-finished/)

[Nigel Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-pearson/)

> [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/)

[Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/)

> [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/)

[Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/)

> [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/)

[Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/)

[Browse all 40,882 Good quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It takes a great man to be a good listener.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Calvin Coolidge"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listener/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Good"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listener/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/calvin-coolidge-764_good-listener_it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listen_1601731.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/calvin-coolidge-764_good-listener_it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listen_1601731.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/calvin-coolidge-764_good-listener_it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listen_1601731.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It takes a great man to be a good listener.” — Calvin Coolidge",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Calvin Coolidge",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It takes a great man to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listener/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/it-takes-a-great-man-to-be-a-good-listener/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
