--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What people say often precedes what they…" description: "\"What people say often precedes what they think. Some people sometimes say, \"I have to hear myself talk before I know what I think.\" I think language so..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/john-elkington-35510_doors_what-people-say-often-precedes-what-they_3126652.png" --- # What people say often precedes what they think. Some… ![“What people say often precedes what they think. Some people sometimes say, "I have to hear myself talk before I know what I think." I think language sometimes, because it opens new channels, it opens new doors, is enormously important.” quote by John Elkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/john-elkington-35510_doors_what-people-say-often-precedes-what-they_3126652.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/john-elkington-35510_doors_what-people-say-often-precedes-what-they_3126652.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/john-elkington-35510_doors_what-people-say-often-precedes-what-they_3126652.png) > “What people say often precedes what they think. Some people sometimes say, "I have to hear myself talk before I know what I think." I think language sometimes, because it opens new channels, it opens new doors, is enormously important.” [John Elkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elkington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that speech often precedes thought, and that language opens new mental possibilities, shaping how we think. **In simple terms:** Speaking can shape thinking and create new ideas. Key Takeaway Use language to expand your thinking. Themes communication thought language creativity cognition Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - team meetings - creative brainstorming - personal journaling - education Key Concepts cognitive linguistics psychology philosophy of mind Questions to Reflect On - Do you notice ideas forming as you speak? - How can you use language to unlock new perspectives? A Different Perspective Language can also limit thought if used rigidly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doors/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Precedes Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precedes-think-5512388/) [Say Precedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-precedes-5512389/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-language-436874/) [Think Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-think/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [ I would say recently I've gotten back to perusing \[Samuel\] Beckett's novels. Listening to the way Donald Trump speaks without saying anything has made… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/i-would-say-recently-i-ve-gotten-back-to-perusing-samuel-beckett-s/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) > [I learned a new language for it all in the 90s. Which in some ways isn't bad... I mean getting people to think about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-matejka/i-learned-a-new-language-for-it-all-in-the-90s-which-in-some-ways-isn/) [Adrian Matejka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-matejka/) > [I don't think language could have evolved if it was the only distinctive trait. It goes hand in hand with our ability to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/i-don-t-think-language-could-have-evolved-if-it-was-the-only/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [The unfortunate are not as miserable as the world imagines. 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