--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The speech we hear is an indication of…" description: "\"The speech we hear is an indication of that which we don't hear. It is a necessary avoidance, a violent, sly, and anguished or mocking smoke screen whi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c4/harold-pinter-3125_avoidance_the-speech-we-hear-is-an-indication-of-t_1594020.png" --- # The speech we hear is an indication of that which we don't… ![“The speech we hear is an indication of that which we don't hear. It is a necessary avoidance, a violent, sly, and anguished or mocking smoke screen which keeps the other in its true place. When true silence falls we are left with echo but are nearer nakedness. One way of looking at speech is to…” quote by Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c4/harold-pinter-3125_avoidance_the-speech-we-hear-is-an-indication-of-t_1594020.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c4/harold-pinter-3125_avoidance_the-speech-we-hear-is-an-indication-of-t_1594020.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c4/harold-pinter-3125_avoidance_the-speech-we-hear-is-an-indication-of-t_1594020.png) > “The speech we hear is an indication of that which we don't hear. It is a necessary avoidance, a violent, sly, and anguished or mocking smoke screen which keeps the other in its true place. When true silence falls we are left with echo but are nearer nakedness. One way of looking at speech is to say that it is a constant stratagem to cover nakedness.” [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Speech often masks truth, creating a defensive façade that hides vulnerability and true intent. **In simple terms:** Words hide truth and protect vulnerability. Key Takeaway Recognize when talk is a cover. Themes communication deception vulnerability power truth Mood cautious reflective Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - political debates - personal relationships - media analysis - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology social masks defense mechanisms Questions to Reflect On - What truths are you avoiding? - How does silence reveal authenticity? A Different Perspective The mask can become more harmful than the truth it hides. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) ## Related quotes > [“One way of looking at speech is to say that it is a constant stratagem to cover nakedness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/one-way-of-looking-at-speech-is-to-say-that-it-is-a-constant/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [One way of looking at speech is to say it is a constant stratagem to cover nakedness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/one-way-of-looking-at-speech-is-to-say-it-is-a-constant-stratagem-to/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Silence is the biggest, strongest speech I will ever hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-hope/silence-is-the-biggest-strongest-speech-i-will-ever-hear/) [Amber Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-hope/) > [True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/true-silence-is-the-rest-of-the-mind-and-is-to-the-spirit-what-sleep/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [True silence is a garden enclosed, where alone the soul can meet its God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-doherty/true-silence-is-a-garden-enclosed-where-alone-the-soul-can-meet-its/) [Catherine Doherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-doherty/) > [“You are good enough to say so, as a fashion of speech; but, I don’t mean any fashion of speech. Indeed, when I say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/you-are-good-enough-to-say-so-as-a-fashion-of-speech-but-i-don-t-mean/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I've decided to cut out the part of the speech where I say anything nice about Democrats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/i-ve-decided-to-cut-out-the-part-of-the-speech-where-i-say-anything/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [Lebanese freedom of speech : You get to say whatever you like as long as the authorities approve of it... Hilarious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziad-k-abdelnour/lebanese-freedom-of-speech-you-get-to-say-whatever-you-like-as-long/) [Ziad K. Abdelnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziad-k-abdelnour/) > [True silence is the speech of lovers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-doherty/true-silence-is-the-speech-of-lovers/) [Catherine Doherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-doherty/) > [I don't think Michael Bloomberg would say that his greatest skill is delivering the speech. He would say he's more of a nuts-and-bolts mayor-picking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliot-spitzer/i-don-t-think-michael-bloomberg-would-say-that-his-greatest-skill-is/) [Eliot Spitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliot-spitzer/) > [A speech is something you say so as to distract attention from what you do not say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-speech-is-something-you-say-so-as-to-distract-attention-from-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [True Silence is really endless speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/true-silence-is-really-endless-speech/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [“Silence—true silence is universal. It is the profound stillness at the center of everything, at the center of every relationship—at the center of yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-main/silence-true-silence-is-universal-it-is-the-profound-stillness-at-the/) [Darren Main](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-main/) > [What is the point of having free speech if you have nothing to say?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/what-is-the-point-of-having-free-speech-if-you-have-nothing-to-say/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“What does syadvad (speech that does not hurt the ego of any living being) speech say? Speak in such a way that 5 people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/what-does-syadvad-speech-that-does-not-hurt-the-ego-of-any-living/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) ## More by Harold Pinter > [I also found being called Sir rather silly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-also-found-being-called-sir-rather-silly/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I saw Len Hutton in his prime, Another time, another time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-saw-len-hutton-in-his-prime-another-time-another-time/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Nothing is more sterile or lamentable than the man content to live within himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/nothing-is-more-sterile-or-lamentable-than-the-man-content-to-live/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“ I know the place I know the place. It is true. Everything we do Corrects the space Between death and me And you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-know-the-place-i-know-the-place-it-is-true-everything-we-do/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“DEELEY: Myself I was a student then, juggling with my future, wondering should I bejasus saddle myself with a slip of a girl not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/deeley-myself-i-was-a-student-then-juggling-with-my-future-wondering/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I've never been able to understand what they mean by 'Pinteresque,'. I'm sure it's indefinable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-ve-never-been-able-to-understand-what-they-mean-by-pinteresque-i-m/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [A character on stage who can present no convincing argument or information as to his past experience, his present behaviour or his aspirations, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/a-character-on-stage-who-can-present-no-convincing-argument-or/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I'll tell you what I really think about politicians. The other night I watched some politicians on television talking about Vietnam. I wanted very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-ll-tell-you-what-i-really-think-about-politicians-the-other-night-i/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Be careful how you talk about God. He's the only God we have. If you let him go he won't come back. He won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/be-careful-how-you-talk-about-god-he-s-the-only-god-we-have-if-you/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I hate brandy...it stinks of modern literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-hate-brandy-it-stinks-of-modern-literature/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“What sound was that? I turn away, into the shaking room. What was that sound that came in on the dark? What is this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/what-sound-was-that-i-turn-away-into-the-shaking-room-what-was-that/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [There are no hard distinctions between what is real and what is unreal, nor between what is true and what is false. A thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/there-are-no-hard-distinctions-between-what-is-real-and-what-is/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Truth in drama is forever elusive. You never quite find it, but the search for it is compulsive. The search is clearly what drives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/truth-in-drama-is-forever-elusive-you-never-quite-find-it-but-the/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Most of the press is in league with government, or with the status quo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/most-of-the-press-is-in-league-with-government-or-with-the-status-quo/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Iraq is just a symbol of the attitude of western democracies to the rest of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/iraq-is-just-a-symbol-of-the-attitude-of-western-democracies-to-the/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) [Explore all 138 Harold Pinter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) ## More Avoidance quotes > [Unmarried couples should get married - that's an excellent tax avoidance measure, if a bit drastic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-whiting/unmarried-couples-should-get-married-that-s-an-excellent-tax/) John Whiting > [“Collect yourself: to smother what you feel, recall to order, summon in one place; making, like Orpheus, a system against loss.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-padel/collect-yourself-to-smother-what-you-feel-recall-to-order-summon-in/) [Ruth Padel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-padel/) > [All work is the avoidance of harder work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-richardson/all-work-is-the-avoidance-of-harder-work/) [James Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-richardson/) > [“People spend entire lifetimes trying to avoid the things that have already happened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silvia-hartmann/people-spend-entire-lifetimes-trying-to-avoid-the-things-that-have/) [Silvia Hartmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silvia-hartmann/) > [America is not static. America is striving. And sometimes, America requires critique. Jingoism is an avoidance of realism. You can simultaneously love and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-blow/america-is-not-static-america-is-striving-and-sometimes-america/) [Charles M. Blow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-blow/) > [I am not in favour of the takeover of excellent and strategically important British companies by struggling foreign firms whose actions are fuelled by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sainsbury-baron-sainsbury-of-turville/i-am-not-in-favour-of-the-takeover-of-excellent-and-strategically/) [David Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Turville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sainsbury-baron-sainsbury-of-turville/) > [Most human behavior is nothing other than the avoidance of pain and the pursuit of pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/most-human-behavior-is-nothing-other-than-the-avoidance-of-pain-and/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [You can gain power by avoidance. You can gain power by doing certain things. You can gain much more power by meditating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-can-gain-power-by-avoidance-you-can-gain-power-by-doing-certain/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“If you love stress, practice avoidance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-rowe/if-you-love-stress-practice-avoidance/) Sharon Rowe > [I've been trying to avoid my problems, and I don't know what to do. I get high, but when I come down, my problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-nathaniel-butler/i-ve-been-trying-to-avoid-my-problems-and-i-don-t-know-what-to-do-i/) [Eugene Nathaniel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-nathaniel-butler/) > [All the textbooks talk about avoidance as a classic hallmark of anxiety disorder. So you need a therapist who is sympathetic and understanding but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stossel/all-the-textbooks-talk-about-avoidance-as-a-classic-hallmark-of/) [Scott Stossel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stossel/) > [I read recently in an article by G.K. Chesterton, that sex without gestation and parturition is like blowing the trumpets and waving the flags…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dora-russell/i-read-recently-in-an-article-by-g-k-chesterton-that-sex-without/) [Dora Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dora-russell/) > [Be truthful... and pay attention. I would also recommend the avoidance of credit cards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/be-truthful-and-pay-attention-i-would-also-recommend-the-avoidance-of/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > [“Most of us will do anything to avoid facing ourselves”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lolly-daskal/most-of-us-will-do-anything-to-avoid-facing-ourselves/) [Lolly Daskal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lolly-daskal/) > [The pleasant life is not produced by continual drinking and dancing, nor sexual intercourse, nor rare dishes of sea food and other delicacies of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/the-pleasant-life-is-not-produced-by-continual-drinking-and-dancing/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) Browse all 290 Avoidance quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The speech we hear is an indication of that which we don't hear. 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