“It is impossible to talk or to write without apparently throwing oneself helplessly open ”
— Herman Melville
Simplified Meaning:
Talking or writing always involves revealing something about yourself, even if it's just a small part. Imagine you're sharing a story with a friend. You might think you're just talking about an event, but actually, you're also showing your feelings, values, and personality. When someone writes a letter or an email, their choice of words, tone, and details they choose to include tell the reader a lot about who they are, intentionally or not. For example, if you write an email to someone asking for a favor, your language can show if you're confident, shy, polite, or demanding. Just by choosing how to say things, you open up a window to your character and thoughts. This is something that naturally happens every time we communicate. So, when you speak or write, know that you're always sharing a piece of yourself with others. This can be used to your advantage: by being aware of this, you can communicate more effectively and ensure that what you want to share is truly understood.