Connection Quote

When we meet others with empathy, we transcend our judgments and discover connection - Marshall B. Rosenberg
At its core, this quote is about the radical power of empathy to dissolve the barriers we build with our judgments and unlock genuine human connection.

Conditioning Quote

Our cultural conditioning leads us to focus our attention on classifying, analyzing, and determining levels of wrongness rather than on what we and others need and are not getting - Marshall B. Rosenberg
We're trained to be judges, not detectives. The quote's core message is that we instinctively look for who's wrong, rather than looking for what's missing.

Quotes about judgment principles

When we judge others, we contribute to violence. When we understand them, we contribute to peace - Marshall B. Rosenberg
At its core, this quote means that our judgmental thoughts and words are a form of psychological violence that escalates conflict, while seeking to understand is an act of peacebuilding.

Quotes about clarity principles

When we focus on clarifying what is being observed, felt, and needed, rather than diagnosing or judging, we discover the depth of our humanity - Marshall B. Rosenberg
At its heart, this quote is about swapping out our habitual, often harsh, judgments for clear, compassionate observation. It's the difference between saying "You're so lazy" and "I see the dishes are still in the sink."

Judgment Quote

Moralistic judgments encourage violence between people - Marshall B. Rosenberg
At its core, this quote means that when we use language that labels, blames, or diagnoses people's character, we're not communicating, we're attacking. And attacks, even verbal ones, are a form of psychological violence that begets more violence.

Humanity Quote

Labeling and judging people diverts us from connecting with their humanity - Marshall B. Rosenberg
At its core, this quote is about how our mental shortcuts, our labels and judgments, act as a barrier to genuine, human-to-human connection.

Quotes about clarity principles

When we combine observation with evaluation, others are apt to hear criticism - Marshall B. Rosenberg
The core message is brutally simple: mixing what you see with what you judge about it will be heard as an attack, not as information.