Quotes About Communication

A verbalizing race has words for every old concept . . . and creates new words or new definitions for old words whenever a new concept comes along. Always! A nervous system that is able to verbalize cannot avoid verbalizing; it's automatic.

Until a person, man or woman, has enjoyed this treasure bathed in the mutual bliss of minds linked as closely as bodies, that person is still as virginal and alone as if he has never copulated.

When, after a week, Jubal had had no other message, he sent a stat care of Ben's office: What the hell are you doing? Ben's answer came back, somewhat delayed: Studying Martian and the rules for hopscotch -- fraternally yours -- Ben.

Talking with a Martian is something like talking with an echo. You don't get any argument but you don't get results either.

Smith used English as one might use a code book, with tedious and imperfect translation for each symbol.

As for the tank, not only is it unAmerican and probably subversive to eat without watching stereo but also the racket from it would interfere even with a directional mike aimed at us from a distance . . .

Locked you in a padded cell, with a certificate signed by three doctors, and allowed you mail on alternate leap years.

when you don't know what a man is getting at, let your counter-question shift the subject to something you do want to talk about. Then, no matter what he answers, make your point and call on someone else. Logic does not enter into it—just tactics.

Sir, talking with a Martian is like talking with an echo. You don't get argument but you don't get results.

Prof's purpose was to short him out – but sometimes Prof was too subtle; some people talk better if they breathe vacuum.

These pretty pictures and bright medallions were not money; they were symbols for an idea which spread through these people, all through their world. But things were not money, any more than water shared was growing-closer. Money was an idea, as abstract as an Old-One's thoughts--money was a great structured symbol for balancing and healing and growing closer.

I don't know. I do know that the slickest way to lie is to tell the right amount of truth—then shut up. It

When will I learn? Had Boss wished to disclose the method, he would have told me. "Careless slips sink ships." Not around Boss.)

anyone who "won" a family argument had in fact lost it.

no better way to improve breed. Certain types of loudmouthism should be a capital offense among decent people.

Don't talk dirty. Did you say 'thoat'?" "Yes. This is Barsoom." "I thoat that was what you said." "If that's a pun, you can eat it for supper. With peanut butter.

No one partner in life can supply all the possible richnesses of living to another. I speak now not only of physical sexual associations, but also of associations mental and spiritual

But I could if I took the time and sweat to learn the language of electronics; it's not miraculous—just complex. Teleportation is simple, once you learn the language—it's the language that is difficult.

women should be obscene but not heard.

People are so used to the computer net today that it is easy to forget what a window to the world it can be—and I include myself. One can grow so canalized in using a terminal only in certain ways—paying bills, making telephonic calls, listening to news bulletins—that one can neglect its richer uses. If a subscriber is willing to pay for the service, almost anything can be done at a terminal that can be done out of bed.

Zeb should command while Jacob handled space-time controls—to each his own. Jacob had asked me to please take orders from Zeb with no back talk … which had miffed me a little.

Boss, you're nitpicking to avoid admitting that it was your fault, not mine.

Un hombre puede adquirir una brillante reputación como conversador dejando, simplemente, que su interlocutor lleve el peso de la conversación

The notices of change of address and of call code had gone out earlier but it was not until we were here and our comm center reestablished that I was notified that you had not made routine acknowledgment." "For the bloody good reason that I did not receive routine notice!