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No one likes having offended another person; hence everyone feels so much better if the other person doesn't show he's been offended. Nobody likes being confronted by a wounded spaniel. Remember that. It is much easier patiently - and tolerantly - to avoid the person you have injured than to approach him as a friend. You need courage for that.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
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Interpretation

What this quote means

People often prefer to avoid confronting someone they have hurt rather than face the discomfort of reconciliation.

This quote by Ludwig Wittgenstein reflects on the human tendency to evade uncomfortable situations, particularly when it comes to interpersonal relationships. It suggests that rather than confront the feelings of guilt or regret after offending someone, individuals might choose to distance themselves in order to maintain their own comfort. There is an acknowledgment that approaching someone you've hurt requires bravery and emotional strength, highlighting the complexities of human interactions and the delicate nature of feelings involved in relationships.

Themes

CourageRelationshipsOffenseForgivenessAvoidance

In practice

Example use cases

In a team meeting where tensions were high, I shared this quote to remind everyone of the importance of tackling misunderstandings with courage.

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Quote by Ludwig Wittgenstein | QuoteProject