Communication Quote by Wallace Stevens
“Tell X that speech is not dirty silence Clarified. It is silence made still dirtier.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Idea of Order at Key West", 1934
Silence can be unsettling; when it is made more oppressive, it becomes even more disturbing.
In simple terms: Quiet can feel heavy if made worse.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address underlying tension.
Themes
silence
communication
clarity
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- conflict resolution
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Psychology of silence
speech dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- When does silence become harmful?
- How can you transform oppressive silence?
A Different Perspective
Not all silence is neutral; context matters.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
