Air Quote by Luce Irigaray
“Your silence exists as does my self gathering. But so does the almost absolute silence of the world's dawning. In such suspension, before every utterance on earth, there is a cloud, an almost immobile air. The plants already breathe, while we still ask ourselves how to speak to each other, without taking breath away from them.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Ethics of Sexual Difference”, 1992
The passage reflects on the profound silence before speech, urging awareness of the shared breath and presence of all living things.
In simple terms: Before speaking, recognize the quiet world around us.
Key Takeaway
Listen before you speak.
Themes
silence
communication
interconnectedness
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
reflective
inspirational
When to use this quote
- dialogue
- environmental awareness
- mindful conversation
Key Concepts
phenomenology
ethical listening
Questions to Reflect On
- What does silence reveal about presence?
- How can we honor other beings when we speak?
A Different Perspective
Silence can be misinterpreted as indifference.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)