How we are rather than what we say

Vasilisa Romanenko “Brewer’s Blackbird” (2025), acrylic on canvas, 9 x 12 inches Colossal

 

The greatest communication is usually how we are rather than what we say. 

                                                                                            -Joseph Goldstein

The expected message is "how we say it," but Goldstein provides something different (how we are) which is interesting.  It could mean both how we are at the moment -- tired, excited, engaged.  It could also mean how we are in a larger sense -- at peace, aggressive, curious, problem-solving.