110+ Marshall B. Rosenberg Quotes On Education, Religion And Nonviolent Communication

Marshall B. Rosenberg was an American psychologist and the founder of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). He developed NVC as a way to improve communication between people by focusing on understanding the underlying needs of those involved. His work has been influential in the fields of psychology, education, business, and conflict resolution. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Marshall B. Rosenberg on leadership, education, religion.

Top 10 Marshall B. Rosenberg Quotes

1. Every criticism, judgment, diagnosis, and expression of anger is the tragic expression of an unmet need.
2. Your presence is the most precious gift you can give to another human being.
3. All violence is the result of people tricking themselves into believing that their pain derives from other people and that consequently those people deserve to be punished.
4. Instead of playing the game "Making Life Wonderful", we often play the game called "Who's Right". Do you know that game? It's a game where everybody loses.
5. Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing.
6. Most of us grew up speaking a language that encourages us to label, compare, demand, and pronounce judgments rather than to be aware of what we are feeling and needing.
7. The most dangerous of all behaviors may consist of doing things 'because we're supposed to.
8. Regardless of our many differences, we all have the same needs. What differs is the strategy for fulfilling these needs.
9. Anger is a signal that you're distracted by judgmental or punitive thinking, and that some precious need of yours is being ignored.
10. When our communication supports compassionate giving and receiving, happiness replaces violence and grieving.

Marshall B. Rosenberg Short Quotes

• It's never what people do that makes us angry; it's what we tell ourselves about what they did.
• At the core of all anger is a need that is not being fulfilled.
• All moralistic judgments, whether positive or negative, are tragic expressions of unmet needs.
• I never have to worry about another person's response, only how I react to what they say.
• Expressing our vulnerability can help resolve conflicts.
• Understanding the other persons' needs does not mean you have to give up on your own needs.
• Use anger as a wake-up call to unmet needs.
• Get very clear about the kind of world we would like and then start living that way.
• When we hear the other person's feelings and needs, we recognize our common humanity.
• When I am angry I have a judgment and an unmet need.

Marshall B. Rosenberg Quotes About Education

Empathy before education. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Life-Enriching Education: an education that prepares children to learn throughout their lives, relate well to others, and themselves, be creative, flexible, and venturesome, and have empathy not only for their immediate kin but for all of humankind. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Teacher, school administrators and parents will come away from Life-Enriching Education with skills in language, communication, and ways of structuring the learning environment that support the development of autonomy and interdependence in the classroom. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

The number one rule of our training is empathy before education. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Postpone result/solution thinking until later; it's through connection that solutions materialize - empathy before education. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

We're not taught to think in terms of needs. We don't make nice dead people when we're in touch with needs. Domination structures cannot maintain themselves when citizens are educated to be alive. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Before we tackle the gangs and the basic story, we have to make sure that we have liberated ourselves from how we have been educated and make sure we are coming from a spirituality of our own choosing. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

As soon as you say, "are you feeling X because I ..." Then the Jackal starts to salivate because he can educate the person that he's the cause of his pain. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

We recognize that real educational reform is essential if today's and tomorrow's children are to live in a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Marshall B. Rosenberg Quotes About Life

My ultimate goal is to spend as many of my moments in life as I can in that world that the poet Rumi talks about, 'a place beyond rightness and wrongness. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

What I want in my life is compassion a flow between myself and others based on mutual giving from the heart. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

A need is life seeking expression within us. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

All people ever say is: THANK YOU (a celebration of life) and PLEASE (an opportunity to make life more wonderful). — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Imagine connecting with the human spirit in each person in any situation at any time. Imagine interacting with others in a way that allows everyone's need to be equally valued. Imagine creating organizations and life-serving systems responsive to our needs and the needs of our environment. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

A difficult message to hear is an opportunity to enrich someone's life. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Social change involves helping people see new options for making life wonderful that are less costly to get needs met. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

We want to take action out of the desire to contribute to life rather than out of fear, guilt, shame, or obligation. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Power-Over leads to punishment and violence. Power-With leads to compassion and understanding, and to learning motivated by reverence for life rather than fear, guilt, shame, or anger. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Needs are the expression of life through us. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Marshall B. Rosenberg Quotes About Nonviolent Communication

NVC suggests behind every action, however ineffective, tragic, violent, or abhorrent to us, is an attempt to meet a need. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Fear of corporal punishment obscures children's awareness of the compassion underlying the parent's demands. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Never hear what somebody thinks about you, you'll live longer. Hear that they're in pain. Don't hear their analysis. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When we understand the needs that motivate our own and others behavior, we have no enemies. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

At the root of every tantrum and power struggle are unmet needs. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Also, think about your intentionality - are you getting lost in the method? or coming from the intentionality, the purpose? You don't want to do the mechanics without the consciousness. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

While we may not consider the way we talk to be 'violent,' our words often lead to hurt and pain, whether for others or for ourselves. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Children need far more than basic skills in reading, writing, and math, as important as those might be. Children also need to learn how to think for themselves, how to find meaning in what they learn, and how to work and live together. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

We can never make anyone do anything against their will without enormous consequences. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

People don't make us angry, how we think makes us angry. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Marshall B. Rosenberg Famous Quotes And Sayings

Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing. Instead of offering empathy, we often have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling. Empathy, however, calls upon us to empty our mind and listen to others with our whole being. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

If you are a czar or a king or a president or someone that wants to control those below them you do not want people to have a consciousness of life, of their needs. Because people do not make good slaves when they're connected to life... That's why in the public schools the primary objective is obedience to authority. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

The Indian philosopher J. Krishnamurti once remarked that observing without evaluating is the highest form of human intelligence. When I first read this statement, the thought, 'What nonsense!' shot through my mind before I realized that I had just made an evaluation. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

We are dangerous when we are not conscious of our responsibility for how we behave, think, and feel. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

I think that there is a problem with rewards and consequences because in the long run, they rarely work in the ways we hope. In fact, they are likely to backfire. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When it comes to giving advice, never do so unless you've first received a request in writing, signed by a lawyer. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

The kind of spirituality I value is one in which you get great joy out of contributing to life, not just sitting and meditating, although meditation is certainly valuable. But from meditation, from the resulting consciousness, I would like to see people in action creating the world they want to live in. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Keep in mind that other people's actions can never 'make' you feel any certain way. Feelings are your warning indicators. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When we express our needs indirectly through the use of evaluations, interpretations, and images, others are likely to hear criticism. When people hear anything that sounds like criticism, they tend to invest their energy in self-defense or counterattack. It's important that when we address somebody that we're clear what we want back. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When we make mistakes, we can use the process of NVC mourning and self-forgiveness to show us where we can grow instead of getting caught up in moralistic self-judgments. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

If we wish to express anger fully, the first step is to divorce the other person from any responsibility for our anger. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When we focus on clarifying what is being observed, felt, and needed rather than on diagnosing and judging, we discover the depth of our own compassion. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Most of us live in a Jackal world where we take turns using the other person as a waste basket for our words. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

If you are a jackal, you will try to reassure. Jackals try to fix people in pain. They can't stand pain, but make matters worse by trying to get rid of it. Put on giraffe ears. Try to hear what they are feeling and needing. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Judgments of others contribute to self-fulfilling prophecies. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

What others do may be the stimulus of our feelings, but never the cause. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

You can't make your kids do anything. All you can do is make them wish they had. And then, they will make you wish you hadn't made them wish they had. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

All human actions are an attempt to meet needs. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

I wouldn't expect someone who's been injured to hear my side until they felt that I had fully understood the depth of their pain. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

I don't think you can have an authentic connection when one person is diagnosing the other. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Our ability to offer empathy can allow us to stay vulnerable, defuse potential violence, help us hear the word 'no' without taking it as a rejection, revive lifeless conversation, and even hear the feelings and needs expressed through silence. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

With every choice you make, be conscious of what need it serves. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Always hear the 'Yes' in the 'No'. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Fear of punishment diminishes self-esteem and goodwill. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Some people use NVC to respond compassionately to themselves, some to create greater depth in their personal relationships, and still others to build effective relationships at work or in the political arena. Worldwide, NVC is used to mediate disputes and conflicts at all levels. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Avoid 'shoulding' on others and yourself! — Marshall B. Rosenberg

We use NVC to evaluate ourselves in ways that engender growth rather than self-hatred. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When people hear needs, it provokes compassion. When people hear diagnoses, it provokes defensiveness and attack. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Often, instead of offering empathy, we have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

This language is from the head. It is a way of mentally classifying people into varying shades of good and bad, right and wrong. Ultimately, it provokes defensiveness, resistance, and counterattack. It is a language of demands. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Ask before offering advice or reassurance. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Classifying and judging people promotes violence. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When we listen for feelings and needs - we can see that people who seem like monsters are simply human beings whose language and behavior sometimes keep us from seeing their humanness. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Four D's of Disconnection: 1. Diagnosis (judgment, analysis, criticism, comparison); 2. Denial of Responsibility; 3. Demand; 4. 'Deserve' oriented language. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

I believe that the most joyful and intrinsic motivation human beings have for taking any action is the desire to meet our needs and the needs of others. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Empathize with silence by listening for the feelings and needs behind it. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Empathize, rather than put your "but" in the face of an angry person. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When people hear needs, it provokes compassion. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

In a Giraffe institution, the head nurse job would be to serve the nurses, not to control them. Teachers are there to serve the students, not control them. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Analyses of others are actually expressions of our own needs and values — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Unless we as social change agents come from a certain spirituality, we're likely to create more harm than good. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Fix-it jackals can't wait to fix it, because they don't know how to enjoy pain. And until you learn how to enjoy pain, you can't enjoy intimacy. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Needs are never conflicting. When we say that, we are only saying that at the moment we aren't seeing how both needs can be met. That leaves an opening. When you think in the way I'm suggesting, you'll often find a way to get most needs met simultaneously. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

We only feel dehumanized when we get trapped in the derogatory images of other people or thoughts of wrongness about ourselves. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Have you ever been surfing? Imagine you're on your surfboard now, waiting for the big one to come. Get ready to get carried with that energy. Now, here it comes. That's empathy. No words - just being with that energy. When I connect with what's alive in another person, I have feelings similar to when I'm surfing. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Criticism, analysis, and insults are tragic expressions of unmet needs. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

NVC self-forgiveness: connecting with the need we were trying to meet when we took the action that we now regret. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

In NVC, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When we are angry, killing people is too superficial. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

To practice the process of conflict resolution, we must completely abandon the goal of getting people to do what we want. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Our survival as a species depends on our ability to recognize that our well-being and the well-being of others are in fact one and the same. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Nonviolent Communication shows us a way of being very honest, but without any criticism, without any insults, without any put-downs, without any intellectual diagnosis implying wrongness. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Anger can be a wonderful wake up call to help you understand what you need and what you value. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

NVC is founded on language and communication skills that strengthen our ability to remain human, even under trying conditions. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Remember that whatever anyone does, it is an effort to meet a need. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Once you have access to key people in an organization, if you go into a meeting with enemy images of those people - then you are not going to connect. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Never do anything that isn't play. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

I find that my cultural conditioning leads me to focus attention on places where I am unlikely to get what I want. I developed NVC as a way to train my attention-to shine the light of consciousness-on places that have the potential to yield what I am seeking. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When I recognize I've got anger, then I realize it's because I have a need that's not being met. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Be very slow to go into looking for solutions. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

You'll find people less threatening if you hear what they're needing rather than what they're thinking about you. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

As long as I think I 'should' do it, I'll resist it, even if I want very much to do it. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

How I choose to look at any situation will greatly affect whether I have the power to change it or make matters worse. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

The most important use of NVC may be in developing self-compassion. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Getting in touch with unmet needs is important to the healing process. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Two things distinguish nonviolent actions from violent actions. First, you don't see an enemy and second, your intention is not to make the other side suffer. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Understanding and connection can transcend conflict. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

NO is always a YES to something else. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

When we are in contact with our feelings and needs, we humans no longer make good slaves and underlings. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Every moment each human being is doing the best we know at that moment to meet our needs. We never do anything that is not in the service of a need, there is no conflict on our planet at the level of needs. We all have the same needs. The problem is in strategies for meeting the needs. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Conventional compliments often take the form of judgments however positive, and are sometimes offered to manipulate the behavior of others. NVC encourages the expression of appreciation solely for celebration. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

An important aspect of self-compassion is to be able to empathically hold both parts of ourselves-the self that regrets a past action and the self that took the action in the first place. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

We want people to change because they see better ways of meeting their needs at less cost, not because of fear that we're going to punish them, or 'guilt' them if they don't. This applies to ourselves as well. — Marshall B. Rosenberg

Life Lessons by Marshall B. Rosenberg

1. Marshall B. Rosenberg's work emphasizes the importance of understanding and empathy when communicating with others. He encourages people to be mindful of their own feelings and the feelings of others, and to express themselves in a non-judgmental and compassionate way.
2. Rosenberg's work also emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying needs behind our own feelings and the feelings of others. He encourages us to be curious about our own and other people's feelings and to explore the needs that are driving them.
3. Rosenberg's work encourages us to take responsibility for our own feelings and to practice self-compassion. He emphasizes the importance of allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and to express our feelings in a safe and supportive environment.