We are given two ears and one mouth to listen more than we talk, Epictetus, the Stoic philosopher, said. “When people talk, listen completely. Most never listen.” Ernst Hemingway claimed. Malcolm Forbes, the creator of the Business magazine which bears his name advised, “The art of conversation lies in listening,” A google search shows no dearth of books on how to listen. Titles abound, The Sacred Art of Listening, Why Don’t We Listen Better, and How to Listen with Intentio

The old beige rotary phone rang. It was somewhere in the late 1970s. I answered, “Courtroom.” Pause. Michael, is that you? Familiar, soft tone. “Yes, it is Judge.” Oh, good. I am looking over a bail report you wrote on a Mr. Montgomery. And I wonder if you could come across the street. I want to do the hearing in Chambers. “Did you want to do it, uh…” Well, the hearing is on the calendar at 10:30 this morning. Can you make it over? I think it would be helpful for all, if