Availability Quote by William Stringfellow
““Listening is a rare happening among human beings. You cannot listen to the word another is speaking if you are preoccupied with your appearance or impressing the other, or if you are trying to decide what you are going to say when the other stops talking, or if you are debating about whether the word being spoken is true or relevant or agreeable. Such matters may have their place, but only after listening to the word as the word is being uttered. Listening, in other words, is a primitive act of love, in which a person gives self to another’s word, making self accessible and vulnerable to that word.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Shape of Love, William Stringfellow, 1970
Listening requires full attention without self‑interest, making it an act of love that opens us to another’s truth.
In simple terms: Listening is loving attention.
Key Takeaway
Give your whole self to hear others.
Themes
empathy
communication
vulnerability
Mood
reflective
intimate
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- counseling sessions
- team meetings
- personal relationships
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
active listening
self‑lessness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you quiet your inner dialogue to hear fully?
- What does it feel like to be heard without judgment?
A Different Perspective
If you are preoccupied with your own agenda, true listening fails.
