Agreeable Quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld
“One thing which makes us find so few people who appear reasonable and agreeable in conversation is, that there is scarcely any one who does not think more of what he is about to say than of answering precisely what is said to him.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Maximes, 1665
People prioritize impressing others over truly listening, leading to shallow conversation.
In simple terms: People care more about sounding smart than understanding.
Key Takeaway
Listen before you speak.
Themes
communication
humility
conversation
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- meetings
- debates
- social gatherings
- online forums
Key Concepts
ego
active listening
self-awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- How often do you think before responding?
- What would happen if you focused on hearing?
A Different Perspective
It can be hard to change ingrained habits of self‑promotion.
![“[Mrs. Allen was] never satisfied with the day unless she spent the chief of it by the side of Mrs. Thorpe, in what they called conversation, but in which there was scarcely ever any exchange of opinion, and not often any resemblance of subject, for Mrs. Thorpe talked chiefly of her children, and…” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/027/jane-austen-39_chiefs_mrs-allen-was-never-satisfied-with-the-d_1796497.jpg)
