A councilman must be a good listener.
A councilman must be a good listener.
Meaning in plain English
A council member required to listen well gives public responsibility a receptive role. The saying values hearing people before making decisions that concern them.
Example
A local representative seeks relevant perspectives and explains how they inform a decision.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Must is a normative expectation rather than proof that every official meets it. A useful reading considers accessible ways to hear relevant concerns while recognising that listening does not require agreeing with every claim. Decisions still need evidence, fair treatment and accountability for actual consequences.
When to use it
Use it to discuss responsive public responsibility.
Keep in mind
Listening does not guarantee a sound decision or require accepting every assertion as true.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Country attributed by the collection
United States · source-attributed; earliest origin unverified
- Source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference
Supplied reference B; unit 136; PDF page 19; collection label: United States
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- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
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