--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is such a torture, happily unknown…" description: "\"There is such a torture, happily unknown to ancient tyranny, as talking a man to death. Marcus Aurelius advises to assent readily to great talkers--in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/laurence-sterne-1405_advise_there-is-such-a-torture-happily-unknown_416148.jpg" --- # There is such a torture, happily unknown to ancient… ![“There is such a torture, happily unknown to ancient tyranny, as talking a man to death. Marcus Aurelius advises to assent readily to great talkers--in hopes, I suppose, to put an end to the argument.” quote by Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/laurence-sterne-1405_advise_there-is-such-a-torture-happily-unknown_416148.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/laurence-sterne-1405_advise_there-is-such-a-torture-happily-unknown_416148.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/laurence-sterne-1405_advise_there-is-such-a-torture-happily-unknown_416148.jpg) > “There is such a torture, happily unknown to ancient tyranny, as talking a man to death. Marcus Aurelius advises to assent readily to great talkers--in hopes, I suppose, to put an end to the argument.” [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Endless debate can be exhausting; Marcus Aurelius suggests quickly dismissing verbose speakers to end arguments. **In simple terms:** Too much talk is draining; cut it short. Key Takeaway Know when to disengage from endless chatter. Themes communication patience philosophy conflict resolution Mood thoughtful pragmatic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political debates - online forums - team meetings - family arguments Key Concepts Stoicism rhetoric Questions to Reflect On - When is it wise to end a conversation? - How can we balance listening with avoiding endless talk? A Different Perspective Silencing voices may suppress valuable perspectives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advise/) [Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient/) [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Aurelius Advises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aurelius-advises-3699540/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marcus-aurelius-244640/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Talkers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talkers/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) [Torture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torture/) [Torture Happily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torture-happily-3699542/) [Tyranny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyranny/) [Tyranny Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyranny-talking-3699539/) ## Related quotes > [“An empty pageant; a stage play; flocks of sheep, herds of cattle; a bone flung among a pack of dogs; a crumb tossed into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-garcia-martinez/an-empty-pageant-a-stage-play-flocks-of-sheep-herds-of-cattle-a-bone/) [Antonio Garcia Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-garcia-martinez/) > [I had always thought, for 'Roman Empire,' I would love to do the death of Marcus Aurelius in the snow. 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