--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One often reads about the art of…" description: "\"One often reads about the art of conversation-how it's dying or what's needed to make it flourish, or how rare good ones are. But wouldn't you agree th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/malcolm-forbes-1510_agree_one-often-reads-about-the-art-of-convers_3043774.jpg" --- # One often reads about the art of conversation-how it's… ![“One often reads about the art of conversation-how it's dying or what's needed to make it flourish, or how rare good ones are. But wouldn't you agree that the infinitely more valuable rara avis [rare bird] is a good listener.” quote by Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/malcolm-forbes-1510_agree_one-often-reads-about-the-art-of-convers_3043774.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/malcolm-forbes-1510_agree_one-often-reads-about-the-art-of-convers_3043774.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/malcolm-forbes-1510_agree_one-often-reads-about-the-art-of-convers_3043774.jpg) > “One often reads about the art of conversation-how it's dying or what's needed to make it flourish, or how rare good ones are. But wouldn't you agree that the infinitely more valuable rara avis \[rare bird\] is a good listener.” [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Good listening is rarer and more valuable than speaking; it deepens understanding and connection **In simple terms:** Listening is more valuable than speaking Key Takeaway Cultivate listening skills Themes communication empathy relationships Mood reflective thoughtful Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - team meetings - personal relationships - customer service - conflict resolution - mentoring Key Concepts active listening mindful presence Questions to Reflect On - How can you become a better listener? - What barriers prevent you from truly hearing others? A Different Perspective Listening alone cannot solve misunderstandings without clear expression ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agreement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agreement/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art of conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-conversation/) [Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Good listener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-listener/) ## Related quotes > [He guides me and the bird. In His good time!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/he-guides-me-and-the-bird-in-his-good-time/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [I happen to disagree with the well-entrenched theory that the art of conversation is merely the art of being a good listener. Such advice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-walters/i-happen-to-disagree-with-the-well-entrenched-theory-that-the-art-of/) [Barbara Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-walters/) > [The art of conversation lies in listening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/the-art-of-conversation-lies-in-listening/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [A rare bird on this earth, like nothing so much as a black swan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/a-rare-bird-on-this-earth-like-nothing-so-much-as-a-black-swan/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [An idea is like a rare bird which cannot be seen. What one sees is the trembling of the branch it has just left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-durrell/an-idea-is-like-a-rare-bird-which-cannot-be-seen-what-one-sees-is-the/) [Lawrence Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-durrell/) > [A rare bird upon the earth and very much like a black swan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/a-rare-bird-upon-the-earth-and-very-much-like-a-black-swan/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Spotting a rare bird is never worth the bite of a cur. Once bitten by a German shepherd, I knew that I preferred cats,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-d-watson/spotting-a-rare-bird-is-never-worth-the-bite-of-a-cur-once-bitten-by/) [James D. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-d-watson/) > [The older I get, I realize, 'Man, I'm a very rare bird,' and that's not because of necessarily my talent or ability; it so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/the-older-i-get-i-realize-man-i-m-a-very-rare-bird-and-that-s-not/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [A good servant is a real godsend, but truly this is a rare bird in the land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/a-good-servant-is-a-real-godsend-but-truly-this-is-a-rare-bird-in-the/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [“To hold on to hygge, we learn to listen and to speak up. We hone the art of conversation and attempt to master an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-thomsen-brits/to-hold-on-to-hygge-we-learn-to-listen-and-to-speak-up-we-hone-the/) [Louisa Thomsen Brits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-thomsen-brits/) > [The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-art-of-conversation-is-the-art-of-hearing-as-well-as-of-being/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [A big part of the challenge is teaching your kids how to have a real conversation, not a texting conversation. If they're not sitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/a-big-part-of-the-challenge-is-teaching-your-kids-how-to-have-a-real/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [“The shared meal is no small thing. It is a foundation of family life, the place where our children learn the art of conversation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/the-shared-meal-is-no-small-thing-it-is-a-foundation-of-family-life/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [“Fresh from the rarefied environments of Harvard, the author says he purposefully took journalism jobs in small southern towns so that he could learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-halberstam/fresh-from-the-rarefied-environments-of-harvard-the-author-says-he/) [David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-halberstam/) > [“The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place but, far more difficult still, to leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nevill/the-real-art-of-conversation-is-not-only-to-say-the-right-thing-in/) [Dorothy Nevill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nevill/) ## More by Malcolm Forbes > [Once in a while there's wisdom in recognizing that the Boss is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/once-in-a-while-there-s-wisdom-in-recognizing-that-the-boss-is/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [ I don't think anybody can be a success who doesn't like what they do. \[But it's\] no job if it has no challenge; there's… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/i-don-t-think-anybody-can-be-a-success-who-doesn-t-like-what-they-do/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Why, just a couple of economic seasons ago, was idle cash considered an indication of bad management or lazy management? Because it meant that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/why-just-a-couple-of-economic-seasons-ago-was-idle-cash-considered-an/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Real writers-that is, capital W Writers-rarely make much money. Their biggest reward is the occasional reader's response… Commentators-in-print voicing big fat opinions-you might call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/real-writers-that-is-capital-w-writers-rarely-make-much-money-their/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/when-things-are-bad-we-take-comfort-in-the-thought-that-they-could/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Some people as a result of adversity are sadder, wiser, kinder, more human. Most of us are better, though, when things go better. Knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/some-people-as-a-result-of-adversity-are-sadder-wiser-kinder-more/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [The best vision is insight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/the-best-vision-is-insight/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [When you don't understand, it's sometimes easier to look like you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/when-you-don-t-understand-it-s-sometimes-easier-to-look-like-you-do/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [It's so much easier to suggest solutions when you don't know too much about the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/it-s-so-much-easier-to-suggest-solutions-when-you-don-t-know-too-much/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Security isn't securities. It's knowing that someone cares whether you are or cease to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/security-isn-t-securities-it-s-knowing-that-someone-cares-whether-you/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [It is unfortunate we can't buy many business executives for what they are worth and sell them for what they think they are worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/it-is-unfortunate-we-can-t-buy-many-business-executives-for-what-they/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [It is all one to me if a man comes from Sing Sing Prison or Harvard. We hire a man, not his history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/it-is-all-one-to-me-if-a-man-comes-from-sing-sing-prison-or-harvard/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Compliment others on the virtues they have; and they're not half as pleased as being complimented for the ones they don't have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/compliment-others-on-the-virtues-they-have-and-they-re-not-half-as/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [. . . the most difficult thing asked by our young is not our earnings but our ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/the-most-difficult-thing-asked-by-our-young-is-not-our-earnings-but/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) [Explore all 232 Malcolm Forbes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) ## More Agree quotes > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [“All these creatures spend their time explaining, realizing happily that they agree with each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/all-these-creatures-spend-their-time-explaining-realizing-happily/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [I talk to fashion designers and say I want some money to save the rainforest, and they say, 'Oh, I agree with you completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/i-talk-to-fashion-designers-and-say-i-want-some-money-to-save-the/) [Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Climate change poses clear, catastrophic threats. We may not agree on the extent, but we certainly can't afford the risk of inaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/climate-change-poses-clear-catastrophic-threats-we-may-not-agree-on/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Never be afraid of doing the thing you know in your heart is right, even if others don't agree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/never-be-afraid-of-doing-the-thing-you-know-in-your-heart-is-right/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [ I will not agree to have this bill \[to repeal DADT \] go forward, because our economy is in the tank. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-repeal-dadt-go-forward-because/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [“I tend to agree with that little devil more and more these days.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-casey/i-tend-to-agree-with-that-little-devil-more-and-more-these-days/) [Elle Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-casey/) > [People might not agree with me, but I think a woman should have a feminine shape, something you can get your hands on. You,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/people-might-not-agree-with-me-but-i-think-a-woman-should-have-a/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [On 9-11, we discovered that we cannot escape from the world. To me personally, this was a life-changing experience, and I realized, as did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/on-9-11-we-discovered-that-we-cannot-escape-from-the-world-to-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [But I would say if the Security Council is only relevant if it agrees with the United States, then we have come a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-blix/but-i-would-say-if-the-security-council-is-only-relevant-if-it-agrees/) [Hans Blix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-blix/) > [We're never all going to agree with each other. We have to learn to value the diversity. 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