One of the books I am reading is a novel called "Gone Tomorrow" by Lee Child.
There is a great line in chapter 43. "Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in his shoes. Then when you start criticizing him, you're a mile away and he's got to run after you in his socks."
I think that is a great way to remember to keep my mouth shut. It doesn't make me look any better if I have something rank to say about someone else. It may even make me look foolish. Or jealous. Or immature.
So I try very diligently to speak less and listen more.
33 comments:
*giggle* love the line!
Most of the time, I try to assume the best about people. But then sometimes I don't. I should try to do better.
speak less, listen more is a great discipline. great line.
hope your week is going well!
No one should pass judgment on another until they've walked in their shoes and once they have, they'd probably understand why they should keep their mouth shut.
A hard lesson learned for many of us.
Now that's some advice I can live with! I hope my big feet will fit into those shoes.
True words! Once they are out of your mouth they can never be taken back or smoothed over. Life is way too difficult when this happens. Took me a while but I got it figured out. The world is a better place when one keeps your negative thoughts to oneself. Have a lovely day!! xoxo
I've heard that line before, but can't remember where. One of the better lines I've heard lately in the blogosphere was, "I was lucky enough to be born cynical. That way I'm never disappointed." Kinda sums up my attitude in life too.
How true. I am constantly trying to remember this!
We all should. So much easier said than done, though.
Technobabe,
So true!!!! I'm a fan of the "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" club. Gotta think to know if it is really nice or not, right?
On the Bowl of Rand Words challenge, go for it! It's all in fun. I mean, how can you resist playing with a handful of words? Thanks for the visit! :D
Good philosophy! I think the reason I got along better with my mom this last visit is that I just kept my mouth shut. It really made things easier.
I love this post. (hugs)
Hi TechnoBabe,
Great post! And so true. Love the quote! It's nice to meet you, too! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm glad you did. I'm following you now.
Seeing other's viewpoints was very difficult for me. I have read that needing to be "right" stems from not having a voice in the family as a child. This was certainly the case with me, but I decided it wasn't an excuse any longer. Whenever I feel the need to point out flaws or criticzie, I make myself stop for a split second. That is all it usually takes to remind me to keep my mouth shut.
That is a perfect line! I need to talk less and listen more myself!
I love the excerpt. You have a great point. I'm not a critical person by nature, but the times when I'm arrogant are always the times when I wish I had kept my big mouth shut.
A wonderful line from the book!
Thank you for sharing it!
Take care my friend!
Hugs!
Margie:)
Amen to that TechnoBabe! Great advice.
Thanks for the reminder.
xo
That's a great line! Someone once told me that the things you hate most about other people are the things you hate most about yourself... hmmm, that's not funny though! ;0)
that's great, I think everyone should live by this motto...
You are wise, teacher babe.
Behind most obnoxious people lies a whole history of hurt and pain, I try to remind myself of that when they tread on my toes. Sadly, it doesn't always stop me from still wanting to leap up and thump them..
Thanks for stopping by my blog, reading the interview, and leaving such a sweet comment. I'm grateful we met through our blogs. Thank you.
Funny. There have been times that I have pledged to speak more and listen less.
That's some good advice. I like the 'if you look for the good in others you usually find it', as well.
Even better is, when people talk about someone, instead of agreeing, turn around and defend that person... That's hard! Hope you are good, thanks for popping by my blog
Very enlightening quote by Lee Child.But most of the time we tend to forget it .Thanks for the reminder.
God bless.
I relly liked this line,too, when I read his book.In fact, it always helps to stand in someone else's shoes, for your view of the world immediately alters!
I am trying to do the same thing here :)
Oh, I have to constantly exercise restraint. In fact, my restraint has a six-pack. true story.
I do need to do this!!
with or without socks, i am running here to catch up to you (31comments to get past :) From you i never received criticism, I just wanted to thank you here for all your compliments!!! It meant a lot to me.
words to live by.
i should go and embroider that on a pillow before i forget it (again)
i do try tho'.
thanks for the reminder. :-)
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