--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The objective of Nonviolent Communication…" description: "\"The objective of Nonviolent Communication is not to change people and their behavior in order to get our way: it is to establish relationships based on..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_behavior_the-objective-of-nonviolent-communicatio_2519898.png" --- # The objective of Nonviolent Communication is not to change… ![“The objective of Nonviolent Communication is not to change people and their behavior in order to get our way: it is to establish relationships based on honesty and empathy, which will eventually fulfill everyone's needs.” quote by Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_behavior_the-objective-of-nonviolent-communicatio_2519898.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_behavior_the-objective-of-nonviolent-communicatio_2519898.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_behavior_the-objective-of-nonviolent-communicatio_2519898.png) > “The objective of Nonviolent Communication is not to change people and their behavior in order to get our way: it is to establish relationships based on honesty and empathy, which will eventually fulfill everyone's needs.” [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. NVC aims to build honest, empathetic relationships, not to manipulate others for personal gain. **In simple terms:** Build honest, empathetic relationships. Key Takeaway Practice empathetic listening. Themes communication empathy relationships Mood educational inspirational Type self‑help psychology When to use this quote - conflict resolution - team building - personal relationships Key Concepts nonviolent dialogue needs-based interaction Questions to Reflect On - How can you apply NVC in daily life? - What obstacles arise when seeking empathy? A Different Perspective Requires patience and skill. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Empathy Eventually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy-eventually-1240513/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) [Honesty Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty-empathy-1240511/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Nonviolent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonviolent/) [Nonviolent communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonviolent-communication/) [Objective Nonviolent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objective-nonviolent-1240509/) [Objectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectives/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [In nonviolent communication, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/in-nonviolent-communication-no-matter-what-words-others-may-use-to/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Nonviolent Communication is a way of keeping our consciousness tuned in moment by moment to that beauty within ourselves and others, and not saying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nonviolent-communication-is-a-way-of-keeping-our-consciousness-tuned/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Nonviolent Communication shows us a way of being very honest, but without any criticism, without any insults, without any put-downs, without any intellectual diagnosis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nonviolent-communication-shows-us-a-way-of-being-very-honest-but/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Two things distinguish nonviolent actions from violent actions. First, you don't see an enemy and second, your intention is not to make the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/two-things-distinguish-nonviolent-actions-from-violent-actions-first/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [“Honesty and empathy are the cornerstones of connection:”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-van-deusen-hunsinger/honesty-and-empathy-are-the-cornerstones-of-connection/) [Deborah Van Deusen Hunsinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-van-deusen-hunsinger/) > [Nonviolent Communication is a powerful tool for peace and partnership. It shows us how to listen empathically and also communicate our authentic feelings and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riane-eisler/nonviolent-communication-is-a-powerful-tool-for-peace-and-partnership/) [Riane Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riane-eisler/) > [In Nonviolent Communication you will find an amazingly effective language for saying what's on your mind and in your heart. Like so many essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-robin/in-nonviolent-communication-you-will-find-an-amazingly-effective/) [Vicki Robin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-robin/) > [Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg is a great book teaching a compassionate way to talk to people even if you (or they) are angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-vitale/nonviolent-communication-by-marshall-rosenberg-is-a-great-book/) [Joe Vitale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-vitale/) > [Marshall Rosenberg provides us with the most effective tools to foster health and relationships. Nonviolent Communication connects soul to soul, creating a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/marshall-rosenberg-provides-us-with-the-most-effective-tools-to/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [The principles of Nonviolent Communication taught by Dr. Rosenberg are instrumental in creating an extraordinary and fulfilling quality of life. His compassionate and inspiring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-principles-of-nonviolent-communication-taught-by-dr-rosenberg-are/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [A second person that's come to my life very recently, and I'm thankful for it, is Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of the Nonviolent Communication…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-cisneros/a-second-person-that-s-come-to-my-life-very-recently-and-i-m-thankful/) [Sandra Cisneros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-cisneros/) > [Schools in which students and teachers relate as partners-where Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication is part of every interaction are communities of learning, rather than top-down,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riane-eisler/schools-in-which-students-and-teachers-relate-as-partners-where/) [Riane Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riane-eisler/) > [Teachers, parents and school administrators: Today's teachers can create a Planet of Peace. The communication process you will learn by reading Nonviolent Communication is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-muller/teachers-parents-and-school-administrators-today-s-teachers-can/) [Robert Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-muller/) > [Educators committed to engaging in the long-term, often difficult work of strengthening their relationships with colleagues, students and parents and expanding their opportunities for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rubin/educators-committed-to-engaging-in-the-long-term-often-difficult-work/) [Ron Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rubin/) > [The extraordinary language of Nonviolent Communication is changing how parents relate to children, teachers to students, and how we all related to each other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-glassman/the-extraordinary-language-of-nonviolent-communication-is-changing/) [Bernie Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-glassman/) ## More by Marshall B. Rosenberg > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Understanding the other persons' needs does not mean you have to give up on your own needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/understanding-the-other-persons-needs-does-not-mean-you-have-to-give/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Plans to exact retribution are never going to make us safer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/plans-to-exact-retribution-are-never-going-to-make-us-safer/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [NVC gives us tools and understanding to create a more peaceful state of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-gives-us-tools-and-understanding-to-create-a-more-peaceful-state/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [What I want in my life is compassion a flow between myself and others based on mutual giving from the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/what-i-want-in-my-life-is-compassion-a-flow-between-myself-and-others/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Analyses of others are actually expressions of our own needs and values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/analyses-of-others-are-actually-expressions-of-our-own-needs-and/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Staying with empathy we allow speakers to touch deeper levels of themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/staying-with-empathy-we-allow-speakers-to-touch-deeper-levels-of/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Punishment is the root of violence on our planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/punishment-is-the-root-of-violence-on-our-planet/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Often, instead of offering empathy, we have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/often-instead-of-offering-empathy-we-have-a-strong-urge-to-give/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [NVC is founded on language and communication skills that strengthen our ability to remain human, even under trying conditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/nvc-is-founded-on-language-and-communication-skills-that-strengthen/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Ask before offering advice or reassurance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/ask-before-offering-advice-or-reassurance/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [If you think ahead to what to say next - like how to fix it or make the person feel better - BOOM! Off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/if-you-think-ahead-to-what-to-say-next-like-how-to-fix-it-or-make-the/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Two questions help us see why we are unlikely to get what we want by using punishment... The first question is: What do I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/two-questions-help-us-see-why-we-are-unlikely-to-get-what-we-want-by/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Praise and reward create a system of extrinsic motivations for behavior. Children (and adults) end up taking action in order to receive the praise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/praise-and-reward-create-a-system-of-extrinsic-motivations-for/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [Everything we do is in service of our needs. When this one concept is applied to our view of others, we'll see that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/everything-we-do-is-in-service-of-our-needs-when-this-one-concept-is/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) [Explore all 283 Marshall B. Rosenberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) ## More Behavior quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/) [Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/) > [“We are endowed with genes which code out our reaction to beavers and otters, maybe our reaction to each other as well. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-endowed-with-genes-which-code-out-our-reaction-to-beavers-and/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) [Burne Hogarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burne-hogarth/) > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! That's not right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-fraser/you-don-t-put-milk-in-chamomile-tea-that-s-disgusting-behavior-that-s/) [Laura Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-fraser/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) [J. Willard Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-willard-gibbs/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point-is-that-magic-moment-when-an-idea-trend-or-social/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [I think we've told a lot of lies about human behavior through film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/i-think-we-ve-told-a-lot-of-lies-about-human-behavior-through-film/) [Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/) > [The strongest rebellion may be expressed in quiet, undramatic behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/the-strongest-rebellion-may-be-expressed-in-quiet-undramatic-behavior/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [If you want good behavior, don't pay on a commission basis. Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 4,218 Behavior quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The objective of Nonviolent Communication is not to change people and their behavior in order to get our way: it is to establish relationships based on honesty and empathy, which will eventually fulfill everyone's needs.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marshall B. Rosenberg" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/the-objective-of-nonviolent-communication-is-not-to-change-people-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Behavior" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/the-objective-of-nonviolent-communication-is-not-to-change-people-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_behavior_the-objective-of-nonviolent-communicatio_2519898.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_behavior_the-objective-of-nonviolent-communicatio_2519898.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_behavior_the-objective-of-nonviolent-communicatio_2519898.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The objective of Nonviolent Communication is not to change people and their behavior in order to get our…” — Marshall B. Rosenberg", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Marshall B. Rosenberg", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The objective of Nonviolent Communication is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/the-objective-of-nonviolent-communication-is-not-to-change-people-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/the-objective-of-nonviolent-communication-is-not-to-change-people-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```