Dialogue

The mark of wisdom lies, more than anything else, in the ability to listen.

Dialogue is an adventure, an adventure available to anyone. And sometimes it’s an adventure whose outcome can change history.

Dialogue is not some simplistic assertion of one’s own position, nor is it necessarily about persuading others to one’s point of view. Dialogue is about demonstrating respect for another’s life, and being determined to learn when confronted with differences in personality and perspective.

The mark of wisdom lies, more than anything else, in the ability to listen.

How can 21st-century humankind overcome the crises that face us? There is, of course, no simple solution, no “magic wand” we can wave to make it all better. The core of such efforts must be to bring forth the full potential of dialogue. So long as human history continues, we will face the perennial challenge of realizing, maintaining and strengthening peace through dialogue.

To have faith in the power of dialogue is to believe in the promise of humanity.

We are not born human in any but a biological sense; it is only by immersion in the “ocean of language and dialogue” fed by the springs of cultural tradition that we can learn to know ourselves and others and thus learn the ways of being human.

Passion inspires passion, and sincerity summons forth sincerity. Genuine dialogue is just this sort of profound life-to-life interaction.

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Stories of Hope by Daisaku Ikeda

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