Barack Obama Quotes

It's a very important thing to learn to talk to people you disagree with.

Throughout my life I have always been amazed that people couldn't listen to other people, that they couldn't hear their best intent, that there seemed to be an enormous need to demonize.

We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another

We have seen our discourse degraded by casual cruelty. At times, it can seem like the forces pulling us apart are stronger than the forces binding us together. Argument turns too easily into animosity. Disagreement escalates into dehumanization. Too often, we judge other groups by their worst examples while judging ourselves by our best intentions.

Conversations create change. It's easy to call someone 'enemy,' but there's more to it, right?

Once you have dialogue starting, you know you can break down prejudice.

You don't see people that are willing to say 'You know what, you might be different politically, but let's find some common ground, let's find ways that we're actually similar.' We just assume immediately that we have nothing in common, what can even talk to that person about.

My own experience is use the tools that are out there. Use the digital world. But never lose sight of the need to reach out and talk to other people who don't share your view. Listen to them and see if you can find a way to compromise.

I learned firsthand that there would simply be no wars if people engaged in real conversation.

The loudest voices we hear are those who advocate conflict, divisiveness.

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

You don't get unity by ignoring the questions that have to be faced.

We need to stop treating our opponents as our enemies.

One of the basic causes for all the trouble in the world today is that people talk too much and think too little.

If two people live together, one has to be patient, and typically, the other one is very annoying.

It is important to remember that if we treat people who could be allies as enemies, we can only alienate them from our cause.

We're so divided as a world that we don't often have the opportunity to sit down and talk to people who are different to us. We're so ready to always be right that we sometimes forget it's OK to listen.

Unfortunately, we've reached a point in society where we don't mind staying mad at each other for awhile. It wasn't always like that.

You have to learn to have discourse with people you don't necessarily agree with.

The more contact we have with one another and the more we come to understand each other's values, the greater will be our mutual respect.

When you can agree on one thing, you should have no expectation that suddenly a person is converted to your way of thinking. You have to be willing to be frustrated constantly.

I'm determined to disagree with people without being disagreeable. That's part of the empathy. Empathy doesn't just extend to cute little kids. You have to have empathy when you're talking to some guy who doesn't like black people.

I don't have to agree with everything you say, but I should attempt at least to understand it, for the opposite of mutual understanding is, quite simply, war.

I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.

Intemperance and intolerance serve no one, and hatred guarantees failure.