“He listens well who takes notes.”
- c. 1265 – September 14, 1321
- Italian
- Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Author of The Divine Comedy
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Quote
“He listens well who takes notes.”
Explanation
This quote is frequently attributed to Dante Alighieri, but there is no evidence that he ever wrote or spoke these exact words. The phrase does not appear in The Divine Comedy, Convivio, or any of his political or philosophical works. Its modern, almost instructional tone suggests it is a contemporary proverb or paraphrase, rather than a product of Dante’s highly structured poetic and theological language.
While Dante valued attentive listening and the disciplined pursuit of knowledge, especially through the guidance of wise figures like Virgil and Beatrice, he did not express this idea in terms resembling modern note-taking. In his time, learning was often oral, contemplative, and rooted in memorization and rhetorical tradition, not the act of physically writing notes as we understand it today.
Because this quote cannot be reliably sourced to Dante, a detailed explanation grounded in his authorship would be inaccurate. However, the sentiment remains sound: active listening paired with reflection or recording enhances understanding. Though not Dante’s own words, the idea echoes the broader value he placed on intentional learning and humility before wisdom.
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