---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Washington knew what he was about…"
description: "\"“Washington knew what he was about, though; he listened more than he talked, and when he said something, it was to the point.”\" — Diana Gabaldon"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though_1965712.jpg"
---

#  Washington knew what he was about, though; he listened…

![“Washington knew what he was about, though; he listened more than he talked, and when he said something, it was to the point.” quote by Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though_1965712.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though_1965712.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though_1965712.jpg)

> ““Washington knew what he was about, though; he listened more than he talked, and when he said something, it was to the point.””

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

## About This Quote

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

Washington was decisive and listened more than he spoke, ensuring his words were concise and purposeful.

**In simple terms:** Washington listened more than he spoke, speaking only when necessary.

Key Takeaway

Speak only when you have something meaningful to add.

Themes

leadership communication decisiveness

Mood

thoughtful strategic

Type

advice leadership

When to use this quote

- political negotiations
- team meetings
- public speaking

Key Concepts

political strategy effective listening

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance listening and speaking in leadership?
- When is it essential to speak up?

A Different Perspective

May overlook valuable input by speaking too little.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [I didn't think nobody knew I listened to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ybn-nahmir/i-didn-t-think-nobody-knew-i-listened-to-bone-thugs-n-harmony/)

[YBN Nahmir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ybn-nahmir/)

> [“They listened more than they talked, but that was the way of wise men and women.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-goff/they-listened-more-than-they-talked-but-that-was-the-way-of-wise-men/)

[Lee Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-goff/)

> [My Girl Scout leader. She told me if I listened more and talked less, I could grow up to be a good writer. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-viorst/my-girl-scout-leader-she-told-me-if-i-listened-more-and-talked-less-i/)

[Judith Viorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-viorst/)

> [“I think if you knew them well enough, if you'd listened to them closely enough while they were still alive, you might be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-tyler/i-think-if-you-knew-them-well-enough-if-you-d-listened-to-them/)

[Anne Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-tyler/)

> [“There were plots afoot—plans of deceit, treason, and betrayal—and the only hope the Americans had to survive them was to be prepared. Washington knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-kilmeade/there-were-plots-afoot-plans-of-deceit-treason-and-betrayal-and-the/)

[Brian Kilmeade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-kilmeade/)

> [“The surprise pointed up a continuing of American Intelligence. The various intelligence agencies poured a vast amount of information into Washington; they knew the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-fehrenbach-2/the-surprise-pointed-up-a-continuing-of-american-intelligence-the/)

[T.R. Fehrenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-fehrenbach-2/)

> [I believe that George Washington knew the City of Man cannot survive without the City of God; that the Visible City will perish without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-believe-that-george-washington-knew-the-city-of-man-cannot-survive/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [“When I was younger all kinds of people talked to me,” she said. “Told me all sorts of things. Fascinating stories, beautiful, strange stories.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/when-i-was-younger-all-kinds-of-people-talked-to-me-she-said-told-me/)

[Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/)

> [“And saying you love him is the same as saying you don’t want to know what he really thinks of you. If you talked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cusk/and-saying-you-love-him-is-the-same-as-saying-you-don-t-want-to-know/)

[Rachel Cusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cusk/)

> [I'm a send this out to everybody who talked about me. Said I'd be dead or in jail by now, it's ok though it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-boosie/i-m-a-send-this-out-to-everybody-who-talked-about-me-said-i-d-be-dead/)

[Lil Boosie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-boosie/)

> [When I was about 17, I didn't speak. English was like a foreign language. I'd just grunt. The only time I talked was when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-p-shepherd/when-i-was-about-17-i-didn-t-speak-english-was-like-a-foreign/)

Jack P. Shepherd

> [“Interviewer: The other day, when we first talked, you said that you felt that, when you were writing, you were often following invisible patterns.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-stone/interviewer-the-other-day-when-we-first-talked-you-said-that-you-felt/)

[Ruth Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-stone/)

> [“I never talked about you much." I said to Hardy. My voice sounded odd to my own ears. Hardy stared into my eyes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/i-never-talked-about-you-much-i-said-to-hardy-my-voice-sounded-odd-to/)

[Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/)

> [Anything can become music if listened to long enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-noon/anything-can-become-music-if-listened-to-long-enough/)

[Jeff Noon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-noon/)

> [“What if each time you experienced an emotion, you acknowledged it, accepted it, and became curious about its message for you (instead of trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vironika-tugaleva/what-if-each-time-you-experienced-an-emotion-you-acknowledged-it/)

[Vironika Tugaleva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vironika-tugaleva/)

## More by Diana Gabaldon

> [Alright, all right," I said. "What if I tell you a story, instead?" Highlanders loved stories, and Jamie was no exception. "Oh, aye, "…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/alright-all-right-i-said-what-if-i-tell-you-a-story-instead/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [There were moments, of course. Those small spaces in time, too soon gone, when everything seems to stand still, and existence is balanced on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/there-were-moments-of-course-those-small-spaces-in-time-too-soon-gone/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [If it was a sin for you to choose me . . . then I would go to the Devil himself and bless him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-it-was-a-sin-for-you-to-choose-me-then-i-would-go-to-the-devil/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [I stagger out of bed, take the dogs outside, and then I'll get a Diet Coke and a couple of dog biscuits and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-stagger-out-of-bed-take-the-dogs-outside-and-then-i-ll-get-a-diet/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [“It was…hard. I didna call out, or let them see I was scairt, but I couldna keep my feet. Halfway through it, I fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/it-was-hard-i-didna-call-out-or-let-them-see-i-was-scairt-but-i/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [I have all the time and space in the world when I write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-have-all-the-time-and-space-in-the-world-when-i-write-a-book/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [I discovered that, given the indescribable nature of what I write, the only way to sell it is to give people free samples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-discovered-that-given-the-indescribable-nature-of-what-i-write-the/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [“We are bound,you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."One large hand rose to stroke my hair. "D'ye mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/we-are-bound-you-and-i-and-nothing-on-this-earth-shall-part-me-from/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [I think characters are going to be, if not a reflection of the author, at least some refraction of some part of their personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-think-characters-are-going-to-be-if-not-a-reflection-of-the-author/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [My husband asked me once why I read so many mysteries, and part of it is just intellectual, part of it is the joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-husband-asked-me-once-why-i-read-so-many-mysteries-and-part-of-it/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [“My Da says you’re never drunk, so long as ye can hold on to the floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-da-says-you-re-never-drunk-so-long-as-ye-can-hold-on-to-the-floor/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [“But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky. One, to tell the story; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/but-a-man-is-not-forgotten-as-long-as-there-are-two-people-left-under/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [“I didn’t answer, occupied in dissolving the penicillin tablets in the vial of sterile water. I selected a glass barrel, fitted a needle, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-didn-t-answer-occupied-in-dissolving-the-penicillin-tablets-in-the/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

[Explore all 952 Diana Gabaldon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

## More Listened quotes

> [“What if each time you experienced an emotion, you acknowledged it, accepted it, and became curious about its message for you (instead of trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vironika-tugaleva/what-if-each-time-you-experienced-an-emotion-you-acknowledged-it/)

[Vironika Tugaleva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vironika-tugaleva/)

> [Anything can become music if listened to long enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-noon/anything-can-become-music-if-listened-to-long-enough/)

[Jeff Noon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-noon/)

> [Many of us believe that we need health care reform. That being said - Americans felt like they weren't being listened to. There were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-of-us-believe-that-we-need-health-care-reform-that-being-said/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“As I listened I thought a featureless baggy man was striking me in slow motion with a well-polished stone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/as-i-listened-i-thought-a-featureless-baggy-man-was-striking-me-in/)

[Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/)

> [I listened to a lot of bands that were happening at the time, but no one in particular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-corr/i-listened-to-a-lot-of-bands-that-were-happening-at-the-time-but-no/)

[Caroline Corr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-corr/)

> [I particularly enjoy cello music because our daughter plays the cello. I have listened to her practice for so many hours that I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-cleary/i-particularly-enjoy-cello-music-because-our-daughter-plays-the-cello/)

[Beverly Cleary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-cleary/)

> [I listened to a lot of Michael Jackson growing up. A lot of Boyz II Men. I loved Mariah Carey. Just big vocalists. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/i-listened-to-a-lot-of-michael-jackson-growing-up-a-lot-of-boyz-ii/)

[Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/)

> [I love finding out-of-the-box inspirations and blending them with what I've done in the past. And when I started to experiment with genres, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avicii/i-love-finding-out-of-the-box-inspirations-and-blending-them-with/)

[Avicii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avicii/)

> [“No one ever listened themselves out of a job.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/no-one-ever-listened-themselves-out-of-a-job/)

[Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/)

> [My favorite country blues player was Big Bill Broonzy. City blues was Freddie King, but I liked them all - Muddy Waters, John Lee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-lee/my-favorite-country-blues-player-was-big-bill-broonzy-city-blues-was/)

[Alvin Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-lee/)

> [When I say never mind I really mean you should have listened the first time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-say-never-mind-i-really-mean-you-should-have-listened-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When I was young I used to listen to other people and to try and understand what they thought and where they were coming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malala-yousafzai/when-i-was-young-i-used-to-listen-to-other-people-and-to-try-and/)

[Malala Yousafzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malala-yousafzai/)

> [The short story and the truth is that I was taking vocal lessons here in New York... One day, instead of my lesson, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-gore/the-short-story-and-the-truth-is-that-i-was-taking-vocal-lessons-here/)

[Lesley Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-gore/)

> [“I spoke, I listened, and my heart broke, which is to say that it didn't break at all but became suddenly aware of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marisa-de-los-santos/i-spoke-i-listened-and-my-heart-broke-which-is-to-say-that-it-didn-t/)

[Marisa de los Santos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marisa-de-los-santos/)

> [I was a Swedish guy who listened to Too Short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-was-a-swedish-guy-who-listened-to-too-short/)

[Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/)

Browse all 410 Listened quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Washington knew what he was about, though; he listened more than he talked, and when he said something, it was to the point.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Diana Gabaldon"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though-he-listened-more-than-he/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Listened"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though-he-listened-more-than-he/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though_1965712.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though_1965712.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though_1965712.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Washington knew what he was about, though; he listened more than he talked, and when he said something, it…” — Diana Gabaldon",
                "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": "Diana Gabaldon",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Washington knew what he was about,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though-he-listened-more-than-he/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/washington-knew-what-he-was-about-though-he-listened-more-than-he/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
