Communication Quote by Leonard Cohen
“They ended every speech with the word hiro, which means: like I said. Thus each man took responsibility for intruding into the inarticulate murmur of the spheres. To hiro they added the word koue, a cry of joy or distress, according to whether it was sung or howled. Thus they essayed to piece the mysterious curtain which hangs between all talking men: at the end of every utterance a man stepped back, so to speak, and attempted to interpret his words to the listener, attempted to subvert the beguiling intellect with the noise of true emotion.”
About This Quote
Source Literature: Unpublished poem or essay, author unknown
The ending phrase “hiro” signifies personal accountability, while “koue” adds emotional nuance, highlighting the tension between rational interpretation and raw feeling in communication.
In simple terms: Words end with responsibility and emotion, showing the struggle to convey true feeling.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both logic and emotion when communicating.
Themes
responsibility
communication
emotion
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- interpersonal dialogue
- writing
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
linguistics
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance clarity and emotion in speech?
- What role does personal responsibility play in effective communication?
A Different Perspective
Pure rational analysis may miss the depth of lived emotional experience.
![“I would say the hummingbird really deserves the royalties on [some of my songs].” quote by Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ae4/leonard-cohen-448_deserve_i-would-say-the-hummingbird-really-deser_37465.jpg)
