--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are responsible for what we hear other…" description: "\"We are responsible for what we hear other people say and for how we act.\" — Marshall B. Rosenberg" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/715/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_we-are-responsible-for-what-we-hear-othe_695819.png" --- # We are responsible for what we hear other people say and… ![“We are responsible for what we hear other people say and for how we act.” quote by Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/715/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_we-are-responsible-for-what-we-hear-othe_695819.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/715/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_we-are-responsible-for-what-we-hear-othe_695819.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/715/marshall-b-rosenberg-1145_communication_we-are-responsible-for-what-we-hear-othe_695819.png) > “We are responsible for what we hear other people say and for how we act.” [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. We must own the impact of our words and actions, taking responsibility for how they affect others. **In simple terms:** Own the effects of what you say and do. Key Takeaway Practice mindful communication. Themes responsibility communication empathy ethics Mood thoughtful empathetic Type ethical inspirational When to use this quote - conflict resolution - team leadership - personal relationships Key Concepts psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure your words align with your values? - What steps help you respond responsibly? A Different Perspective Responsibility can be overwhelming; balance with self‑care. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Hear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hear/) [Hear people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hear-people/) [Nonviolent communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonviolent-communication/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-say/) [Responsible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsible/) [Responsible Hear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsible-hear-1429579/) ## Related quotes > [Quite often you hear people say, 'What about separation of church and state?' 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Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [“I am only responsible for what I say; I am not responsible for what you hear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz-jr/i-am-only-responsible-for-what-i-say-i-am-not-responsible-for-what/) [Miguel Ruiz Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz-jr/) > [Once you know something is wrong, you're responsible, whether you see it, or hear about it, and most particularly when you're a part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marijane-meaker/once-you-know-something-is-wrong-you-re-responsible-whether-you-see/) [Marijane Meaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marijane-meaker/) > [I'm only responsible for what I say, not responsible for what you hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-only-responsible-for-what-i-say-not-responsible-for-what-you-hear/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you hear people demanding that the Ten Commandments be displayed in courtrooms and schoolrooms, always be sure to ask which set. 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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/) > [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/) > [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/) ## 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. 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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 Communication quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. 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