--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We live in a society in which it seems…" description: "\"We live in a society in which it seems that every space, every moment must be 'filled' with initiatives, activity, sound; often there is not even time ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/pope-benedict-xvi-414_able_we-live-in-a-society-in-which-it-seems-t_1445323.jpg" --- # We live in a society in which it seems that every space… ![“We live in a society in which it seems that every space, every moment must be 'filled' with initiatives, activity, sound; often there is not even time to listen and dialogue... Let us not be afraid to be silent outside and inside ourselves, so that we are able not only to perceive God's voice, but…” quote by Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/pope-benedict-xvi-414_able_we-live-in-a-society-in-which-it-seems-t_1445323.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/pope-benedict-xvi-414_able_we-live-in-a-society-in-which-it-seems-t_1445323.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6af/pope-benedict-xvi-414_able_we-live-in-a-society-in-which-it-seems-t_1445323.jpg) > “We live in a society in which it seems that every space, every moment must be 'filled' with initiatives, activity, sound; often there is not even time to listen and dialogue... Let us not be afraid to be silent outside and inside ourselves, so that we are able not only to perceive God's voice, but also the voice of the person next to us, the voices of others.” [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Constant activity can drown out listening; silence opens us to divine and human voices. **In simple terms:** Too much noise blocks true listening. Key Takeaway Practice intentional silence. Themes silence listening spirituality Mood contemplative peaceful Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - Workplace - personal prayer - community gatherings Key Concepts Meditation dialogue Questions to Reflect On - How often do you truly listen? - What might you hear in silence? A Different Perspective Silence may be uncomfortable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Afraid Silent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-silent-4387982/) [Christian inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-inspirational/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Dialogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dialogue/) [Every moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-moment/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Filled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filled/) [God Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-voice/) [God'S Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-voice/) [Initiative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initiative/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen/) [Listen Dialogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listen-dialogue-5183082/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Next](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next/) [Perceive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perceive/) [Person Voices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-voices-1312081/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Silent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silent/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [I guess when I really think about it, God's voice sounds a lot like my voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-mcmanus/i-guess-when-i-really-think-about-it-god-s-voice-sounds-a-lot-like-my/) [Erwin McManus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-mcmanus/) > [GOD can't speak to you if you don't listen, if you don't stop to hear GOD's voice. Whether GOD's calling, or whispering you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/god-can-t-speak-to-you-if-you-don-t-listen-if-you-don-t-stop-to-hear/) [Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/) > [“As evangelicals who believe that God has revealed Himself in Scripture, we come to the text not to hear our own voice, but God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-lovejoy/as-evangelicals-who-believe-that-god-has-revealed-himself-in/) [Grant Lovejoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-lovejoy/) > [“spirit of man to be able to hear His voice. In fact, every spirit is equipped to listen to the different voices that come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-mendez-ferrell/spirit-of-man-to-be-able-to-hear-his-voice-in-fact-every-spirit-is/) [Ana Mendez Ferrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-mendez-ferrell/) > [“One thing I can tell you is that no matter how loud God’s voice is right now, you probably need to turn it up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clay-scroggins/one-thing-i-can-tell-you-is-that-no-matter-how-loud-god-s-voice-is/) [Clay Scroggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clay-scroggins/) > [Sometimes it can be really hard in our fast paced society to slow ourselves down enough to begin to listen to God's voice. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-foreman/sometimes-it-can-be-really-hard-in-our-fast-paced-society-to-slow/) [Jon Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-foreman/) > [“Sometimes, I hear people talk about the different men and women of the Old Testament, and there is a hint of jealousy. They may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-idleman/sometimes-i-hear-people-talk-about-the-different-men-and-women-of-the/) [Kyle Idleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-idleman/) > [God’s voice speaking tenderly to our hearts today is the same voice that powerfully called creation into being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-s-voice-speaking-tenderly-to-our-hearts-today-is-the-same-voice/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [“I had been so used to God's voice in the fire and stars that I had forgotten to listen for it in the counsels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-stewart/i-had-been-so-used-to-god-s-voice-in-the-fire-and-stars-that-i-had/) [Mary Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-stewart/) > [The voice of the people may be said to be God's voice, the voice of the Panchayat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/the-voice-of-the-people-may-be-said-to-be-god-s-voice-the-voice-of/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“I believe that music is God’s voice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wilson/i-believe-that-music-is-god-s-voice/) [Brian Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wilson/) > [“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/trust-god-from-the-bottom-of-your-heart-don-t-try-to-figure-out/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To me the Bible is not God, but it is God's voice, and I do not hear it without awe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/to-me-the-bible-is-not-god-but-it-is-god-s-voice-and-i-do-not-hear-it/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [We often miss hearing God's voice simply because we aren't paying attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/we-often-miss-hearing-god-s-voice-simply-because-we-aren-t-paying/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [The cry of a baby is God's voice: never drive them away from the church!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-cry-of-a-baby-is-god-s-voice-never-drive-them-away-from-the-church/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) ## More by Pope Benedict XVI > [The fact that the Lord can work and act even with insufficient means consoles me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/the-fact-that-the-lord-can-work-and-act-even-with-insufficient-means/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [The essence of Christianity...is an ever-new encounter with... the God who speaks to us, who approaches us and who befriends us!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/the-essence-of-christianity-is-an-ever-new-encounter-with-the-god-who/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/if-you-abide-in-the-love-of-christ-rooted-in-the-faith-you-will/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Continue to witness to the Gospel every day and commit yourselves generously in the next missionary initiatives in the Diocese of Rome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/continue-to-witness-to-the-gospel-every-day-and-commit-yourselves/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Jesus’ example of fidelity to prayer challenges us to examine the time and effort we devote to our own prayer. While prayer is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/jesus-example-of-fidelity-to-prayer-challenges-us-to-examine-the-time/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [If we look to the saints, this great luminous wake with which God has passed through history, we truly see that here is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/if-we-look-to-the-saints-this-great-luminous-wake-with-which-god-has/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [“Joseph Ratzinger never developed his own theological system. As a theologian he took on what was there, discerned its essentials, situated it in relation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/joseph-ratzinger-never-developed-his-own-theological-system-as-a/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Jesus Christ does not teach us a spirituality “of closed eyes”, but one of “alertness”, one which entails an absolute duty to take notice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/jesus-christ-does-not-teach-us-a-spirituality-of-closed-eyes-but-one/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Joy is the true gift of Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/joy-is-the-true-gift-of-christmas/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Material possessions, in themselves, are good. We would not survive for long without money, clothing and shelter. We must eat in order to stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/material-possessions-in-themselves-are-good-we-would-not-survive-for/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [One of the promising indications of a renewal in the Church's missionary consciousness in recent decades, has been the growing desire of many lay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/one-of-the-promising-indications-of-a-renewal-in-the-church-s/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [God loves us despite our shortcomings and sins, and his love gives meaning to our lives and to the life of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/god-loves-us-despite-our-shortcomings-and-sins-and-his-love-gives/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [It's a great responsibility before God, the judge who guides us, who draws us to truth and good, and in this sense the church…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/it-s-a-great-responsibility-before-god-the-judge-who-guides-us-who/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Discovering the beauty and joy of faith is a path that every new generation must take on its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/discovering-the-beauty-and-joy-of-faith-is-a-path-that-every-new/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Apostolic and missionary fruitfulness is not principally due to programmes and pastoral methods that are cleverly drawn up and "efficient", but is the result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/apostolic-and-missionary-fruitfulness-is-not-principally-due-to/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) [Explore all 575 Pope Benedict XVI quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) [Greg Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-perry/) > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) [Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We live in a society in which it seems that every space, every moment must be 'filled' with initiatives, activity, sound; often there is not even time to listen and dialogue... 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