---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What I prefer is an audience who listen…"
description: "\"What I prefer is an audience who listen. And are intelligent. Which I try and assume every audience is. And that if something goes wrong, it's generall..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/dylan-moran-1716_assuming_what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen_2713221.jpg"
---

#  What I prefer is an audience who listen. And are…

![“What I prefer is an audience who listen. And are intelligent. Which I try and assume every audience is. And that if something goes wrong, it's generally my fault and not theirs.” quote by Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/dylan-moran-1716_assuming_what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen_2713221.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/dylan-moran-1716_assuming_what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen_2713221.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/dylan-moran-1716_assuming_what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen_2713221.jpg)

> “What I prefer is an audience who listen. And are intelligent. Which I try and assume every audience is. And that if something goes wrong, it's generally my fault and not theirs.”

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

## About This Quote

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

He prefers an audience that listens attentively and intelligently, taking responsibility for any mishaps.

**In simple terms:** Value attentive, smart listeners and own your mistakes.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate thoughtful audiences and accept accountability.

Themes

communication humor responsibility

Mood

humorous reflective

Type

motivational inspirational

When to use this quote

- live performances
- podcast recordings
- public speaking

Key Concepts

audience dynamics self-awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you foster attentive listening?
- When should you blame yourself versus others?

A Different Perspective

Assuming intelligence may alienate some listeners.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Assume Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assume-audience-2037562/) [Assuming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assuming/) [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Audience Listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience-listen-353067/) [Faults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faults/) [Intelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligent/) [Listen Intelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen-intelligent-987651/) [Prefer Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prefer-audience-2824198/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/)

## Related quotes

> [Surely she had endured enough for one evening without having to listen to intelligent conversation?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-gibbons/surely-she-had-endured-enough-for-one-evening-without-having-to/)

[Stella Gibbons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-gibbons/)

> [I'd never assume an audience was anything but totally receptive and perfect. Seriously, it seems to me that's the only circumstance you can work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-verlaine/i-d-never-assume-an-audience-was-anything-but-totally-receptive-and/)

[Tom Verlaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-verlaine/)

> [The only thing that I demand of the audience is that they listen to what I'm saying. Other than that, they owe me nothing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-garlin/the-only-thing-that-i-demand-of-the-audience-is-that-they-listen-to/)

[Jeff Garlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-garlin/)

> [I heard John Wells say something really smart, many years ago. He said, "Assume your audience is really intelligent. Assume that they are really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veena-sud/i-heard-john-wells-say-something-really-smart-many-years-ago-he-said/)

[Veena Sud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veena-sud/)

> [It's better to play to the host as though in a real conversation and let the audience listen in- which they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklyn-ajaye/it-s-better-to-play-to-the-host-as-though-in-a-real-conversation-and/)

[Franklyn Ajaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklyn-ajaye/)

> [“I always get a little bit irritated when people talk about 'bringing poetry to the people' especially those poet - performers who seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-donaghy/i-always-get-a-little-bit-irritated-when-people-talk-about-bringing/)

[Michael Donaghy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-donaghy/)

> [People assume that your audience is full of people who love you. But, typically, it's one person in four who's chosen to come and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romesh-ranganathan/people-assume-that-your-audience-is-full-of-people-who-love-you-but/)

[Romesh Ranganathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romesh-ranganathan/)

> [Taylor Swift's audience can listen to me, but so can the street kids. I want to touch it all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-weeknd/taylor-swift-s-audience-can-listen-to-me-but-so-can-the-street-kids-i/)

[The Weeknd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-weeknd/)

> [As far as how much you listen to the audience, you listen to them when they really hate something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-mckay/as-far-as-how-much-you-listen-to-the-audience-you-listen-to-them-when/)

[Adam McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-mckay/)

> [When you can assume that your audience holds the same beliefs you do, you can relax and use more normal means of talking to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/when-you-can-assume-that-your-audience-holds-the-same-beliefs-you-do/)

[Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/)

> [I'm still learning about music. The best way to learn is to listen to the audience. When you listen to the audience, they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bennett/i-m-still-learning-about-music-the-best-way-to-learn-is-to-listen-to/)

[Tony Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bennett/)

> [“It is essential that we understand the audience on its own terms. We should not assume that every audience thinks as we do, decides…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helio-fred-garcia/it-is-essential-that-we-understand-the-audience-on-its-own-terms-we/)

[Helio Fred Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helio-fred-garcia/)

> [In the hands of good writers, you have the opportunity to present both sides of an opinion equally and that you leave it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/in-the-hands-of-good-writers-you-have-the-opportunity-to-present-both/)

[Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/)

> [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/)

[James T. Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-conway/)

> [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/)

[Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/)

## More by Dylan Moran

> [“You should be alive as you can until you're totally dead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/you-should-be-alive-as-you-can-until-you-re-totally-dead/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [America's work ethic is non-stop; it's not even enshrined in law that workers have to get their two weeks holiday money. But Americans work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/america-s-work-ethic-is-non-stop-it-s-not-even-enshrined-in-law-that/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [The characters can't be wittier than people are in real life. They have to be character witty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/the-characters-can-t-be-wittier-than-people-are-in-real-life-they/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [ \[Adulthood feels like\] walking around in the desert with a bag over your head, being bumped into by people who rob you as they… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/adulthood-feels-like-walking-around-in-the-desert-with-a-bag-over/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [Don't do it! Stay away from your potential. You'll mess it up, it's potential, leave it. Anyway, it's like your bank balance - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/don-t-do-it-stay-away-from-your-potential-you-ll-mess-it-up-it-s/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [If you're talking about crowd enthusiasm, it varies. I have a decent following in Australia so I like there. I'm interested in playing everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/if-you-re-talking-about-crowd-enthusiasm-it-varies-i-have-a-decent/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [There are two types of wine essentially, and everybody knows this. There's the one where you drink it and go, "Mmmm, well that's ok,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/there-are-two-types-of-wine-essentially-and-everybody-knows-this/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [Go and lie down in the dark... for hours... and don't move. I'm locking the door now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/go-and-lie-down-in-the-dark-for-hours-and-don-t-move-i-m-locking-the/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [I suppose the best comedy shows do have the rock n' roll feeling - if it's a great night, and the roof is raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-suppose-the-best-comedy-shows-do-have-the-rock-n-roll-feeling-if-it/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [Beer must be made by food companies. It makes you wander the streets at 3 am looking for things to eat. "What's that, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/beer-must-be-made-by-food-companies-it-makes-you-wander-the-streets/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [The sensible thing for everyone to do would be to write all their op-eds and think pieces now so they're ready the day after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/the-sensible-thing-for-everyone-to-do-would-be-to-write-all-their-op/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [I don't do drugs. If I want a rush I just get out of a chair when I'm not expecting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-don-t-do-drugs-if-i-want-a-rush-i-just-get-out-of-a-chair-when-i-m/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [I think I still get something from the original broadcaster but I'm certainly not aware of any Netflix van driving to my house and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-think-i-still-get-something-from-the-original-broadcaster-but-i-m/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [People do need a social license to go, "Ha ha ha," and have a good time. It's a strange thing. There's a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/people-do-need-a-social-license-to-go-ha-ha-ha-and-have-a-good-time/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

> [I'm a vegetarian, well I'm not hardcore because I eat meat, but only because I like the taste, and I hate vegetables on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-m-a-vegetarian-well-i-m-not-hardcore-because-i-eat-meat-but-only/)

[Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

[Explore all 213 Dylan Moran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/)

## More Assuming quotes

> [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/)

[Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/)

> [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/)

[James T. Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-conway/)

> [Everyone assumes writers spend their time lounging around, writing and occasionally striking a pose whilst having a think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/everyone-assumes-writers-spend-their-time-lounging-around-writing-and/)

[Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/)

> [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/)

[Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/)

> [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/)

[Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/)

> [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/)

[Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/)

> [A state of mind is something that one assumes. It cannot be purchased, it must be created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/a-state-of-mind-is-something-that-one-assumes-it-cannot-be-purchased/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [One must believe that every living thing whatsoever must change insensibly in its organization and in its form... One must therefore never expect to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-lamarck/one-must-believe-that-every-living-thing-whatsoever-must-change/)

[Jean-Baptiste Lamarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-lamarck/)

> [I think the biggest problem working with me would be that I'm an only child, and so I have an internal dialogue that goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/i-think-the-biggest-problem-working-with-me-would-be-that-i-m-an-only/)

[Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/)

> [It is worth noticing that those who assume an imposing demeanor and seek to pass themselves off for something beyond what they are, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/it-is-worth-noticing-that-those-who-assume-an-imposing-demeanor-and/)

[Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/)

> [People just assume that if you're famous, you're in Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-fox/people-just-assume-that-if-you-re-famous-you-re-in-hollywood/)

[Megan Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-fox/)

> [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/)

[Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/)

> [Humans suffer from self-centred notions as to the nature of life. Humans assume that alien life forms should conform to standards that match our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-perry/humans-suffer-from-self-centred-notions-as-to-the-nature-of-life/)

[Steve Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-perry/)

> [We can use our art to become political, to become something you want to talk about. We make clothes, but we have the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-rousteing/we-can-use-our-art-to-become-political-to-become-something-you-want/)

[Olivier Rousteing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-rousteing/)

> [Everyone seems to assume that the unscrupulous parts of journalism will be the frivolous or jocular parts. This is against all ethical experience. Jokes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/everyone-seems-to-assume-that-the-unscrupulous-parts-of-journalism/)

[Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/)

[Browse all 2,452 Assuming quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assuming/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "What I prefer is an audience who listen. And are intelligent. Which I try and assume every audience is. And that if something goes wrong, it's generally my fault and not theirs.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Dylan Moran"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen-and-are-intelligent-which-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Assuming"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen-and-are-intelligent-which-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/dylan-moran-1716_assuming_what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen_2713221.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/dylan-moran-1716_assuming_what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen_2713221.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/069/dylan-moran-1716_assuming_what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen_2713221.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“What I prefer is an audience who listen. And are intelligent. Which I try and assume every audience is. And…” — Dylan Moran",
                "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": "Dylan Moran",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "What I prefer is an audience...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen-and-are-intelligent-which-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/what-i-prefer-is-an-audience-who-listen-and-are-intelligent-which-i/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
