Context

This line is from the poem "A Word to Husbands" by Ogden Nash (1964).

Ogden Nash was the standup comic of 20th-century American poets. He cared more about making you laugh than showing off his knowledge of obscure French or Greek texts, or about how the current generation was doomed.

And "In A Word to Husbands," he puts on his marriage counselor cap hoping to save the estranged couples of the world a little time and money. Nash tells husbands to stop talking so much and listen to their wives even when they think they're right about a subject.

This isn't debate class; relationships are more important than scoring points in an argument.

Where you've heard it

This is solid marriage advice that you may have heard from a counselor, psychologist, or just a good friend who likes poetry.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Listening is an important skill so you should pay attention to this poem.