--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The main purpose of engaging in…" description: "\"The main purpose of engaging in conversation can no longer be personal advancement or respectability. Instead, I'd like for us to use conversations to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/866/theodore-zeldin-9828_communication_the-main-purpose-of-engaging-in-conversa_787883.jpg" --- # The main purpose of engaging in conversation can no longer… ![“The main purpose of engaging in conversation can no longer be personal advancement or respectability. Instead, I'd like for us to use conversations to create equality, to open ourselves to strangers, and, most practically, to remake our working world.” quote by Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/866/theodore-zeldin-9828_communication_the-main-purpose-of-engaging-in-conversa_787883.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/866/theodore-zeldin-9828_communication_the-main-purpose-of-engaging-in-conversa_787883.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/866/theodore-zeldin-9828_communication_the-main-purpose-of-engaging-in-conversa_787883.jpg) > “The main purpose of engaging in conversation can no longer be personal advancement or respectability. Instead, I'd like for us to use conversations to create equality, to open ourselves to strangers, and, most practically, to remake our working world.” [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Conversation should aim beyond personal gain, fostering equality, openness to strangers, and improving work environments. **In simple terms:** Talk to build fairness and better workplaces. Key Takeaway Use dialogue to promote equity. Themes equality communication social change Mood reflective optimistic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - team meetings - community forums - networking events - online collaborations Key Concepts dialogue social theory organizational design Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure all voices are truly heard? - What structures support equitable conversation? A Different Perspective May overlook power imbalances that persist despite open talk. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Conversations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversations/) [Conversations Create](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversations-create-2127382/) [Engaging Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engaging-conversation-868687/) [Equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Strangers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strangers/) [Us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/us/) [Use Conversations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use-conversations-5344362/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“When we aren't curious in conversations we judge, tell, blame and even shame, often without even knowing it, which leads to conflict." -The Power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-siggins/when-we-aren-t-curious-in-conversations-we-judge-tell-blame-and-even/) [Kirsten Siggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-siggins/) > [“Connecting in sips may work for gathering discreet bits of information, they may work for saying, "I'm thinking about you," or even for saying,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-turkle/connecting-in-sips-may-work-for-gathering-discreet-bits-of/) [Sherry Turkle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-turkle/) > [Conversations create change. 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Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“When I walk into a room and see people engaging in conversation; I most of the time just get puzzled because I dont know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-michael-dennis/when-i-walk-into-a-room-and-see-people-engaging-in-conversation-i/) [James Michael Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-michael-dennis/) > [“Delicious Dialogue “We’ve all known the proverbial conversation hog who dominates a discussion and pays little notice to another person’s input. They’re so busy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/delicious-dialogue-we-ve-all-known-the-proverbial-conversation-hog/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Stop talking about inclusion and engagement and start including and engaging in every conversation, every meeting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-scott/stop-talking-about-inclusion-and-engagement-and-start-including-and/) [Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/) > [This is one of the last industries where the subject is off limits. Nobody’s comfortable in engaging in a conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-welts/this-is-one-of-the-last-industries-where-the-subject-is-off-limits/) [Rick Welts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-welts/) > [My mom has a good way of engaging me in a conversation about the choices I make, listening, being objective and open-minded, and respecting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-affleck/my-mom-has-a-good-way-of-engaging-me-in-a-conversation-about-the/) [Casey Affleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-affleck/) > [“Sometimes it is better to refrain from engaging in conversation because making no impression is better than making a bad impression.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/sometimes-it-is-better-to-refrain-from-engaging-in-conversation/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [I can enjoy an Arsenal-Chelsea match without having to worry about getting exclusive quotes afterwards from one of the participants as he makes his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-rushin/i-can-enjoy-an-arsenal-chelsea-match-without-having-to-worry-about/) [Steve Rushin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-rushin/) > [“A writer of classic prose must simulate two experiences: showing the reader something in the world, and engaging her in conversation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-writer-of-classic-prose-must-simulate-two-experiences-showing-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Social is about engaging, it's about a conversation, it's about listening and then responding, it's an ongoing conversation with our fan base.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-mcmahon/social-is-about-engaging-it-s-about-a-conversation-it-s-about/) [Stephanie McMahon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-mcmahon/) > [There is a huge difference between writing a book, which is a private activity I engage in with myself, and wanting to engage in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-tea/there-is-a-huge-difference-between-writing-a-book-which-is-a-private/) [Michelle Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-tea/) > [“He could not make conversations with strangers, and yet conversations with strangers were perhaps the first thing required of him in his new life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-mcdermott/he-could-not-make-conversations-with-strangers-and-yet-conversations/) [Alice McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-mcdermott/) ## More by Theodore Zeldin > [People in this world of superficial communication find themselves isolated and lonely and have difficult in talking about personal things that really matter to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-zeldin/people-in-this-world-of-superficial-communication-find-themselves/) [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) > [The institution of marriage, if you look at it over many centuries, has come and gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-zeldin/the-institution-of-marriage-if-you-look-at-it-over-many-centuries-has/) [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) > [We should abolish 'work.' 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What does it mean to commit a crime? What does it mean to be anxious? What does it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-zeldin/what-does-it-mean-to-dance-what-does-it-mean-to-commit-a-crime-what/) [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) > [The tendency of experts is to fiddle around with their expertise rather than trying to find new solutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-zeldin/the-tendency-of-experts-is-to-fiddle-around-with-their-expertise/) [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) > [The British have turned their sense of humour into a national virtue. It is odd, because through much of history, humour has been considered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-zeldin/the-british-have-turned-their-sense-of-humour-into-a-national-virtue/) [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) > [Change the way you think, and you are already halfway to changing the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-zeldin/change-the-way-you-think-and-you-are-already-halfway-to-changing-the/) [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) > [We think of speaking as something we do naturally, without any effort. But like playing music, it requires attention and knowledge and practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-zeldin/we-think-of-speaking-as-something-we-do-naturally-without-any-effort/) [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) > [We are already seeing the creation of a new kind of network based on friendships: Startups, which are often founded by friends, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-zeldin/we-are-already-seeing-the-creation-of-a-new-kind-of-network-based-on/) [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) > [Art is, nowadays, our new religion and museums are our cathedrals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-zeldin/art-is-nowadays-our-new-religion-and-museums-are-our-cathedrals/) [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) > [I think the hero in our generation is not the individual but the pair, two people who together add up to more than they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-zeldin/i-think-the-hero-in-our-generation-is-not-the-individual-but-the-pair/) [Theodore Zeldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) [Explore all 70 Theodore Zeldin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-zeldin/) ## More Communication quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The problem posed by indirect speech acts is the problem of how it is possible for the speaker to say one thing and mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-searle/the-problem-posed-by-indirect-speech-acts-is-the-problem-of-how-it-is/) [John Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-searle/) > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A poet is wounded into speech, and he examines these wounds, meticulously, to discover how to heal them. The bad poet harangues at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/a-poet-is-wounded-into-speech-and-he-examines-these-wounds/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [“To engage in dialogue is to serve others via whatever is real inside you; to engage in debate is to ultimately serve the illusions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oli-anderson/to-engage-in-dialogue-is-to-serve-others-via-whatever-is-real-inside/) [Oli Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oli-anderson/) > [What it comes down to for me is this: Will the technologies of communication in our culture, serve to enlighten us and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/what-it-comes-down-to-for-me-is-this-will-the-technologies-of/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I've been in a serious conversation with one of my children, and a fan has come up. 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