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Many people seek a sympathetic ear and do not find it among
Christians, because these Christians are talking where they
should be listening. But he who can no longer listen to one
another will soon no longer be listening to God either; they
will always be talking even in the presence of God. This is the
beginning of the death of the spiritual life, and in the end
there will be nothing left but spiritual chatter and clerical
condescension arrayed in pious words ... never really speaking
to others.
... Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), Life Together [1954],
tr. Daniel W. Bloesch & James H. Burtness, Fortress
Press, 2004, p. 98