--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have two ears and only one tongue in…" description: "\"“We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may hear more and speak less.”\" — Diogenes Laertius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/diogenes-laertius-13984_listening_we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in_3042514.jpg" --- # We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may… ![“We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may hear more and speak less.” quote by Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/diogenes-laertius-13984_listening_we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in_3042514.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/diogenes-laertius-13984_listening_we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in_3042514.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/diogenes-laertius-13984_listening_we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in_3042514.jpg) > ““We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may hear more and speak less.”” [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages listening more and speaking less to gain understanding and wisdom. **In simple terms:** Listen more, talk less. Key Takeaway Practice active listening daily. Themes communication humility wisdom Mood reflective calm Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - meetings - relationships - conflict resolution - learning environments Key Concepts Stoicism mindful speech Questions to Reflect On - How can you increase listening in conversations? - What benefits arise from speaking less? A Different Perspective May be unrealistic in cultures that value outspoken expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Speak less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-less/) ## Related quotes > [We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/we-have-two-ears-and-one-tongue-so-that-we-would-listen-more-and-talk/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [Speak but little, and that little only when thy own purposes require it. Heaven has given thee two ears but only one tongue, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hafez/speak-but-little-and-that-little-only-when-thy-own-purposes-require/) [Hafez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hafez/) > [“I just wanted to hear him speak again. His voice made me want to take my pants off.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-sivec/i-just-wanted-to-hear-him-speak-again-his-voice-made-me-want-to-take/) [Tara Sivec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-sivec/) > [“Please— please get up—and lower your voice —” “Hell no.” “Why not?” I’m pleading now. “Because if I lower my voice, I won’t be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/please-please-get-up-and-lower-your-voice-hell-no-why-not-i-m/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“You hear me speak. But do you hear me feel?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrud-kolmar/you-hear-me-speak-but-do-you-hear-me-feel/) [Gertrud Kolmar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrud-kolmar/) > [There are some people who could hear your speak a thousand words and still not understands you. And there are others who will understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-some-people-who-could-hear-your-speak-a-thousand-words-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What is it about your voice that makes me want to hear you speak?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-condie/what-is-it-about-your-voice-that-makes-me-want-to-hear-you-speak/) [Ally Condie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-condie/) > [“Let me hear you speak farther. I have spirit to do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/let-me-hear-you-speak-farther-i-have-spirit-to-do-anything-that/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Hear much, speak little](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bias-of-priene/hear-much-speak-little/) [Bias of Priene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bias-of-priene/) > [There are some people who could hear you speak a thousand words and still not understand you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proudlesbian/there-are-some-people-who-could-hear-you-speak-a-thousand-words-and/) ProudLesbian > [“Almost everybody gets tired and bored by one lackadaisical topic. If you hit them with something delicious, like a sexy adventure, then the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/almost-everybody-gets-tired-and-bored-by-one-lackadaisical-topic-if/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [The love of their country is with them only a mode of flattering its master; as soon as they think that master can no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-custine/the-love-of-their-country-is-with-them-only-a-mode-of-flattering-its/) [Marquis De Custine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-custine/) > [You have to speak up in order for someone to hear you...you have to speak out in order for someone to understand you…you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-have-to-speak-up-in-order-for-someone-to-hear-you-you-have-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you cant see,cant you hear,if you cant hear cant you speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-donkor/if-you-cant-see-cant-you-hear-if-you-cant-hear-cant-you-speak/) [James Donkor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-donkor/) > [When people talk about others, I can hear them speak about themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-people-talk-about-others-i-can-hear-them-speak-about-themselves/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Diogenes Laertius > [Pythagoras used to say that he had received as a gift from Mercury the perpetual transmigration of his soul, so that it was constantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/pythagoras-used-to-say-that-he-had-received-as-a-gift-from-mercury/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Anarcharsis, on learning that the sides of a ship were four fingers thick, said that "the passengers were just that distance from death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/anarcharsis-on-learning-that-the-sides-of-a-ship-were-four-fingers/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Courage, my boy! that is the complexion of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/courage-my-boy-that-is-the-complexion-of-virtue/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Aristippus said that a wise man's country was the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/aristippus-said-that-a-wise-man-s-country-was-the-world/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Arcesilaus had a peculiar habit while conversing of using the expression, "My opinion is," and "So and so will not agree to this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/arcesilaus-had-a-peculiar-habit-while-conversing-of-using-the/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Bion used to say that the way to the shades below was easy; he could go there with his eyes shut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/bion-used-to-say-that-the-way-to-the-shades-below-was-easy-he-could/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Diogenes said once to a person who was showing him a dial, "It is a very useful thing to save a man from being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/diogenes-said-once-to-a-person-who-was-showing-him-a-dial-it-is-a/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [“Step out of my sunlight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/step-out-of-my-sunlight/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Plato affirmed that the soul was immortal and clothed in many bodies successively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/plato-affirmed-that-the-soul-was-immortal-and-clothed-in-many-bodies/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [When asked what learning was the most necessary, he said, “Not to unlearn what you have learned!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/when-asked-what-learning-was-the-most-necessary-he-said-not-to/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Anaximander used to assert that the primary cause of all things was the Infinite,-not defining exactly whether he meant air or water or anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/anaximander-used-to-assert-that-the-primary-cause-of-all-things-was/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [If appearances are deceitful, then they do not deserve any confidence when they assert what appears to them to be true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/if-appearances-are-deceitful-then-they-do-not-deserve-any-confidence/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [There is a written and an unwritten law. The one by which we regulate our constitutions in our cities is the written law; that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/there-is-a-written-and-an-unwritten-law-the-one-by-which-we-regulate/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [Aristippus being asked what were the most necessary things for well-born boys to learn, said, "Those things which they will put in practice when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/aristippus-being-asked-what-were-the-most-necessary-things-for-well/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) > [“One day a man invited him into a richly furnished house, saying 'be careful not to spit on the floor.' Diogenes, who needed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/one-day-a-man-invited-him-into-a-richly-furnished-house-saying-be/) [Diogenes Laertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) [Explore all 48 Diogenes Laertius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/) ## More Listening quotes > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [I've been writing songs since I was 10 years old and always had a penchant for rhyming. I started listening to hip hop through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoodie-allen/i-ve-been-writing-songs-since-i-was-10-years-old-and-always-had-a/) [Hoodie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoodie-allen/) > [I listen to heavy metal thanks to my son. When I argue with him on the kind of music he is listening to, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeenat-aman/i-listen-to-heavy-metal-thanks-to-my-son-when-i-argue-with-him-on-the/) [Zeenat Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeenat-aman/) > [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [“The only problem is the heart is quiet. It takes a very special kind of person to hear what the heart says. Most can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-palmieri/the-only-problem-is-the-heart-is-quiet-it-takes-a-very-special-kind/) [Suzanne Palmieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-palmieri/) > [“Listening isn't just about being quiet. It's about listening to what is said, what is unsaid, and what is meant with your eyes, ears…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drishti-bablani-wordions/listening-isn-t-just-about-being-quiet-it-s-about-listening-to-what/) [Drishti Bablani, Wordions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drishti-bablani-wordions/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) > [Listening is a very active awareness of the coming together of at least two lives. Listening, as far as I'm concerned, is certainly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-rogers/listening-is-a-very-active-awareness-of-the-coming-together-of-at/) [Fred Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-rogers/) > [It's something he used to say when he was happy. It could be a very, very simple day. We might be sitting out on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-grant/it-s-something-he-used-to-say-when-he-was-happy-it-could-be-a-very/) [Jennifer Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-grant/) > [Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer to anyone who was listening, asking please, for God's sake, stop sending him signals that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/closing-his-eyes-he-sent-up-a-prayer-to-anyone-who-was-listening/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [ He \[ the son\]'s grown up listening to all types of music, and the natural form of rebellion is to find the one genre… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-knowles/he-the-son-s-grown-up-listening-to-all-types-of-music-and-the-natural/) [Solange Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-knowles/) > [“Listening is an essential part of praying. Answers from the Lord come quietly—ever so quietly. In fact, few hear his answers audibly with their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-burke-peterson/listening-is-an-essential-part-of-praying-answers-from-the-lord-come/) [H. Burke Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-burke-peterson/) > [Getting older doesn't help you in the fact that you might have covered some of this ground before. So you're listening to a song…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-brooks/getting-older-doesn-t-help-you-in-the-fact-that-you-might-have/) [Garth Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-brooks/) > [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) Browse all 6,237 Listening quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may hear more and speak less.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Diogenes Laertius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in-order-that-we-may-hear-more/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Listening" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in-order-that-we-may-hear-more/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/diogenes-laertius-13984_listening_we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in_3042514.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/diogenes-laertius-13984_listening_we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in_3042514.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eda/diogenes-laertius-13984_listening_we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in_3042514.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may hear more and speak less.” — Diogenes Laertius", "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": "Diogenes Laertius", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes-laertius/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We have two ears and only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in-order-that-we-may-hear-more/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes-laertius/we-have-two-ears-and-only-one-tongue-in-order-that-we-may-hear-more/#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 } } ] } ```