Gaining People’s Sympathy

Opinions are, above all, unpleasant. On an individual level, it goes without saying: they are the chains, the fetters of thought. On a collective level, who can stand them? An opinion is never as timely as it would be to fail to say it. People like to be listened to, not to listen. That is why it is so easy to win their sympathy: one just has to relate to them in silence, that is, listen to them without saying anything. Whether this is possible, or even bearable, is another matter…