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THE FATHER: But don't you see that the whole trouble lies here? In words, words. Each one of us has within him a whole world of things, each man of us his own special world. And how can we ever come to an understanding if I put in the words I utter the sense and value of things as I see them; while you who listen to me must inevitably translate them according to the conception of things each one of you has within himself. We think we understand each other, but we never really do.
Luigi Pirandello
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Communication is flawed because each person interprets words from their own unique perspective.

This quote by Luigi Pirandello highlights the inherent limitations of language and communication. It suggests that while we may believe we understand one another through words, true understanding is hindered by the individual interpretations that each person brings to a conversation. Each of us carries a unique worldview, shaped by our experiences, leading to potential misunderstandings in our interactions.

Themes

CommunicationUnderstandingPerspectiveLanguageInterpretation

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion on interpersonal communications at a workshop, you might use this quote to illustrate the challenges of understanding.

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Anyone can be heroic from time to time, but a gentleman is something you have to be all the time.
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Quote by Luigi Pirandello | QuoteProject