HELP !! A wise person hears one word? meaning?

Posted by TheFallen on September 06, 2002

In Reply to: HELP !! A wise person hears one word? meaning? posted by Susan L on September 06, 2002

: Can anyone tell me what the meaning of this proverb is? "A wise person hears one word and understands two" I have a few different ideas. I need this asap. THANK YOU!! You can email me also.....Thanks..Susan in PA

I've not heard this one before, but, to use a similar metaphor, I imagine it means that, if you're wise, you can "read between the lines" of what another is expressing. A wise person will pick up on implication, tone and mood, as well as the simple bald meanings of the words themselves.