Communicate Quote by Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
“The following are the universally fundamental laws of literary communication: 1. one must have something to communicate; 2. one must have someone to whom to communicate it; 3. one must really communicate it, not merely express it for oneself alone. Otherwise it would be more to the point to remain silent.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Literary Theory, 1809
Effective communication requires a message, an audience, and genuine transmission; otherwise silence is preferable.
In simple terms: Talk needs message, audience, and real sharing; else stay silent.
Key Takeaway
Ensure all three elements before speaking.
Themes
communication
literature
ethics
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- teaching
- writing
- public discourse
Key Concepts
message theory
audience analysis
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever speak without a clear audience?
- How to verify genuine transmission?
A Different Perspective
Sometimes silence may be strategic despite imperfect communication.
![“Communicate, communicate, communicate: If anything, make sure to communicate what you're doing, what you're up to, what's going on and what issues your facing as often as you can - even if [you think] no one's listening. This serves both as a log of your activities and a personal record that you…” quote by Tara Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a31/tara-hunt-53739_able_communicate-communicate-communicate-if-a_2194591.jpg)
