EMPATHY
“When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one third thinking about what I want to say.” Abraham Lincoln
slow down and REFLECT
on the MEANING and the MESSAGE of today’s quotation
.
IN YOUR OWN WORDS… what is the main idea or theme that is expressed in the above quote?
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” (Albert Einstein)
PERSONALIZE….
Do you have any personal experiences or observations that relate to the meaning of this quote? If so, describe a specific example.
“There are many truths of which the full meaning cannot be realized until personal experience has brought it home.” (John Stuart Mill)
.
ai Assistant
Interested in seeing what artificial intelligence (ai) has to say about the meaning of today’s quotation? Compare it to your own interpretation. You may be fascinated, or even possibly humbled.
ai INTERPRETATION of TODAY’S QUOTE
“When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one third thinking about what I want to say.” Abraham Lincoln
“That’s a wonderfully insightful quote from Abraham Lincoln—and remarkably relevant even today.
It reveals a powerful truth about effective communication:
Lincoln understood that speaking isn’t just about expressing your own thoughts—it’s about connecting with the listener.
What it really means
- “Two thirds…what they want to hear”
This isn’t about telling people only what pleases them. It’s about understanding their concerns, values, and perspective—meeting them where they are. - “One third…what I want to say”
Your message still matters—but it’s delivered in a way the listener is ready to receive.
The deeper lesson
People don’t resist ideas—they resist feeling unheard.
When someone feels understood first, they become far more open to understanding you.
A simple way to apply it
Before speaking, ask yourself:
- What does this person care about?
- What are they worried about or hoping for?
- How can I frame my message so it speaks to that?
A timeless takeaway
Lincoln’s wisdom reminds us that communication is not self-expression alone—it is mutual understanding.
The most persuasive voices are not the loudest, but the most attentive.” (chatGPT, 05/19/26)
.
.
