Listened Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““I could see that Isabel listened to him with growing exasperation. Larry had no notion that he was driving a dagger in her heart and with his every detached word twisting it in the wound. But when she spoke it was with a faint smile on her lips.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Unconsoled” (fiction)
Unaware words can cause deep emotional pain, even when delivered calmly.
In simple terms: Harsh words hurt even if spoken gently.
Key Takeaway
Choose words carefully to avoid hurting others.
Themes
communication
empathy
pain
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- conflict resolution
- relationship counseling
- team feedback
Key Concepts
psychology
interpersonal dynamics
emotional impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we recognize hidden harm in casual speech?
- When should we confront subtle cruelty?
A Different Perspective
May overstate literal intent of fictional dialogue.
![“...a third [of three] had died in his bunk of natural causes--for a dagger in the heart quite naturally ends one's life.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7fc/anonymous-1_bunk_a-third-of-three-had-died-in-his-bunk-of_3108259.jpg)
