“Not all understanding requires explanation.”

The Reflection

Understanding often develops unevenly within relationships, institutions, and public discourse. Explanations are requested where trust is limited and withheld where authority is assumed. In many interactions, repeated clarification does not increase agreement; it

exposes distance in perspective. Silence is sometimes interpreted as lack of clarity, though it may simply reflect settled awareness. Social systems frequently operate on implicit norms rather than explicit reasoning. In such settings, understanding emerges through patterns of behaviour, context, and time, rather than through continuous verbal justification. Documentation exists, but comprehension is not always its outcome.

A Line to Sit With

Understanding does not always require articulation.